Argentina’s Supreme Court denied Judge Ariel Lijo’s unpaid leave to take a CSJN role, with his future now dependent on the Senate. Potential alternative candidate Sandra Arroyo-Salgado is suggested, amid concerns over Lijo’s handling of corruption cases. Legal limbo continues for Lijo following Milei’s decree amidst Senate uncertainties.
The Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina voted against granting Lower Court Judge Ariel Lijo an unpaid leave of absence to assume his position on the Supreme Court as designated by President Javier Milei. Chief Justice Horacio Rosatti and Deputy Chief Justice Carlos Rosenkrantz supported this decision, alongside Justice Manuel García-Mansilla, who was appointed with Lijo under the Constitution for the current Legislative term.
Lijo’s insistence on retaining his role as the magistrate of Buenos Aires Federal Court 4 conflicts with the Supreme Court’s expectation of his resignation. Justice Ricardo Lorenzetti dissented, casting a vote in support of Lijo’s stance. Analysts suggest that Lijo’s future now hinges on the Senate, where his nomination, along with that of García-Mansilla, has been stalled for more than a year.
If Milei’s political faction, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), secures Senate approval, Lijo’s appointment would become permanent. Some of Milei’s supporters, including Economist Alberto Benegas Lynch Jr., propose San Isidro Federal Judge Sandra Arroyo-Salgado as a preferable alternative for the Supreme Court, citing Lijo’s controversial handling of corruption cases with limited convictions.
Notably, Arroyo-Salgado is the former spouse of Prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who mysteriously died while preparing to present findings on the 1994 AMIA bombing. Lijo’s refusal to resign has placed Milei’s appointment decree in legal uncertainty, with Senate approval appearing to be the prompt resolution. Although the Agreement Committee has approved the motion, final approval was postponed amid controversies linked to Milei.
On a separate note, García-Mansilla’s nomination did not progress through the Agreements Committee, rendering his position on the Supreme Court precarious.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court of Argentina’s decision against Judge Ariel Lijo’s unpaid leave reflects ongoing tensions regarding judicial appointments. The fate of Lijo now rests with the Senate, amidst proposals for alternative candidates. The legal challenges surrounding Milei’s decree highlight the complexities of judicial politics in Argentina, as the Senate’s eventual decision could radically affect the judicial landscape going forward.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
