The Argentine Supreme Court declined Judge Ariel Lijo’s request for unpaid leave to assume a position in the Supreme Court, insisting instead on his resignation. Lijo’s future now awaits Senate approval, where his nomination has been stalled, while President Milei’s administration considers alternative candidates like Judge Sandra Arroyo-Salgado for the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina recently voted against granting Judge Ariel Lijo an unpaid leave of absence, which would allow him to assume his position on the Supreme Court as per President Javier Milei’s decree. Chief Justice Horacio Rosatti, Deputy Chief Justice Carlos Rosenkrantz, and Manuel García-Mansilla, who was appointed alongside Lijo for the current legislative term, supported this decision.
Judge Lijo is seeking to retain his role in the Buenos Aires Federal Court 4, while the Supreme Court maintains that he must resign. Justice Ricardo Lorenzetti dissented, supporting Lijo’s desire to resume his position. Analysts note that Lijo’s future now hinges on the Senate, where his nomination has been pending for more than a year along with García-Mansilla’s. If approved by the Senate, Lijo could secure a permanent position contingent on his conduct.
Supporters of President Milei, including economist Alberto Benegas Lynch Jr., have proposed that San Isidro Federal Judge Sandra Arroyo-Salgado should be appointed to the Supreme Court instead of Lijo, who has faced criticism for his handling of numerous corruption cases without significant convictions. Arroyo Salgado is notably the ex-wife of the late Prosecutor Alberto Nisman, whose mysterious death occurred as he was about to present major findings on the 1994 AMIA bombing.
Due to Lijo’s refusal to resign, the legal status of Milei’s appointment is uncertain and may require Senate approval for resolution. The Agreement Committee in the Upper House has approved this move, yet final confirmation is pending due to complications arising from the $LIBRA cryptofiasco. In contrast, García-Mansilla’s proposal has not passed the Agreement Committee, leaving his position on the Supreme Court precarious.
In summary, the Argentine Supreme Court has denied Judge Ariel Lijo’s request for unpaid leave to join the Supreme Court, maintaining that he should resign from his current position. Lijo’s future now rests with the Senate, which has postponed his nomination due to various controversies, including the $LIBRA case. Meanwhile, proposals to replace Lijo with Judge Sandra Arroyo-Salgado highlight the ongoing discussions surrounding judicial appointments amidst significant political tension.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
