Impact on the provinces: Passalacqua ordered the reduction and merger of ministries in Misiones

Governor of Misiones, Hugo Passalacqua, has officially announced a cabinet restructuring aimed at reducing and merging ministries within the provincial government, according to reports from the Government of Misiones. The reform focuses on streamlining administrative functions by eliminating certain departments and integrating their responsibilities into others. Among the affected areas are the Ministry of Energy, Climate Change, and Family Agriculture, which will have their functions absorbed by other executive offices. The changes include the transformation of the Secretariat of State for Family Agriculture into a sub-secretariat under the Ministry of Agriculture and Production. This new structure will also take over the operational management of state-owned companies such as Biofábrica Misiones S.A. and Misio-Pharma S.E. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance, Public Works, and Services will absorb the former Secretaries of State for Energy and Climate Change, operating them as sub-secretariats. In addition, an extraordinary assembly was called for the Energy of Misiones to renew its board. Julio César Barreto was appointed president, with José Luis Garay serving as director in place of Virginia Kluka and Emiliano Ciz. Hugo José Amable will assume the role of vice-president. The Director General of Architecture saw the removal of Sergio Daniel Bresiski and Magalí Cabrera from their positions, replaced by architect Juan Carlos Balsari, who will oversee both the Infrastructure Department and the General Directorate of Architecture. The Provincial Revenue Office (ATM) also underwent leadership changes, with accountant Héctor Rubén Chesani taking over from Eva María Belén Gregori. These adjustments reflect a broader effort to enhance governmental efficiency through organizational consolidation. Two mayors were added to the provincial cabinet, continuing a trend observed previously with Carlos Sartori, currently the Coordinator Minister of Cabinet. This move underscores the governor’s commitment to collaborative governance between municipalities and the provincial administration. Julio César Barreto, mayor of Montecarlo for three terms and a former provincial deputy, will lead the Energy of Misiones. His experience includes advising the Montecarlo Electric Cooperative in the early 2000s and managing large infrastructure projects with a focus on social impact and budget efficiency. Matías Vilchez, mayor of San Javier, will serve as the new Minister of Cooperative Action, replacing Liliana Rodríguez. With a background in municipal management and a socially oriented profile, Vilchez brings expertise in health policies, infrastructure, and local development. His appointment highlights the governor's strategy to integrate local leaders into the provincial administration, leveraging their practical experience in community governance. These structural reforms aim to align the provincial government with more efficient operations, consolidating overlapping functions and enhancing coordination among different sectors. The changes come amid ongoing political dynamics, including recent statements from Capitanich criticizing the Milei administration and its allies. Despite these external pressures, the governor continues to implement measures designed to improve public service delivery and administrative effectiveness.