Executive-judicial tensions will rise in Argentina

Significance

While initial reports suggest a suicide, the case highlights tensions between the executive on the one hand, and the judicial branch and opposition parties on the other -- tensions already rekindled by the recent resignation of Supreme Court Justice Eugenio Raul Zaffaroni. Disputes over the government-backed criminal justice reform, as well as serious accusations -- including impeachment requests -- against Procurator General Alejandra Gils Carbo, suggest executive-judicial relations will be uneasy at least until the presidential hand-over in December.

Impacts

• The president, who has as yet appointed no Supreme Court judges, may attempt to negotiate unilaterally with some opposition parties.
• The executive faces several court defeats, particularly over the Criminal Procedure Code and temporary judicial appointments.
• The government will use the Secretariat of Intelligence to try to mitigate the judicial offensive against allies.