# Internal Power Struggle Between Karina Milei and Patricia Bullrich Escalates

The rivalry within the ruling party threatens legislative stability in the Argentine Senate.

- **Source:** [Clarín – Política](https://www.clarin.com/politica)
- **Published:** 2026-11-09
- **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics)
- **Original article:** <https://www.clarin.com/politica/tension-karina-milei-patricia-bullrich-impacta-bloque-libertario-senado_0_rFkNHVRGiB.html>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/cce67606-15f9-471c-9e3c-a2c8a6bc6138

## Escalating Cold War

The political tension between Karina Milei and Patricia Bullrich has reached a critical point within the La Libertad Avanza Senate bloc. Observers describe the situation as a cold war, with rumors circulating about a potential move to displace Bullrich from her leadership position, which could trigger a public rupture in the party.

## The Rise of Nadia Márquez

Karina Milei is reportedly positioning Senator Nadia Márquez as a key ally to counter Bullrich’s influence. Márquez is being pushed for the strategic Agreements Commission and a seat on the Council of the Magistracy. Supporters highlight her background as a woman from the interior as a strategic asset for the presidential inner circle.

## Legislative Gridlock Impacts

The internal power struggle is directly hindering the government's legislative agenda in the Senate. Recent attempts to appoint Márquez to lead the Agreements Commission failed after senators denied a quorum. This deadlock prevents the body from voting on new magistrates, creating an urgent bottleneck for the administration ahead of upcoming judicial hearings.

## Electoral Reform Disputes

Disagreements over electoral reform have further strained the relationship between the two factions. While the government seeks to eliminate mandatory primary elections, Bullrich is accused of delaying the process to maintain leverage. Karina Milei’s all-or-nothing approach to legislation has clashed with Bullrich’s preference for incremental negotiations with radical party governors.

## Gambling Law Controversy

The Senate faces pressure to pass a gambling regulation law before the November 30 deadline to prevent it from losing parliamentary status. While the Church advocates for the bill to protect youth, the government remains hesitant, viewing the current proposal as overly restrictive for online gaming companies, further complicating the legislative path.

## Fragmented Party Loyalties

Legislators within the bloc express discomfort, noting that the party lacks a unified ideological foundation. Loyalties are described as personal rather than political, leading to fears that an attempt to force Márquez into a leadership role could cause the bloc to implode into multiple competing factions, weakening the administration's overall voting power.

## Bullrich’s Defiant Stance

Patricia Bullrich has made it clear that she will not step down voluntarily from her leadership role. She warned that any attempt to remove her would result in a total legislative stalemate, stating that the government would not pass another law. This defiance forces the administration to choose between compromise or public confrontation.

## Future Political Implications

The ongoing conflict highlights the fragile nature of the La Libertad Avanza coalition. As the administration navigates judicial appointments and electoral reforms, the inability to manage internal dissent threatens to derail key policy goals. The coming weeks will determine if the bloc can maintain cohesion or if the internal rivalry leads to permanent fragmentation.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.clarin.com/politica/tension-karina-milei-patricia-bullrich-impacta-bloque-libertario-senado_0_rFkNHVRGiB.html — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
