In a dramatic turn for Argentine politics, Guillermo Francos, the 75-year-old chief of staff to President Javier Milei, resigned on Friday, November 1, 2025, just days after the ruling La Libertad Avanza party clinched a resounding victory in the country’s pivotal midterm legislative elections. Francos, a seasoned political operator with decades of government experience, explained his decision in a public statement, saying he wished to allow President Milei to “face the phase of government that begins after the national elections without constraints,” as reported by the Associated Press.
The timing of Francos’ departure—less than a week after the surprise landslide win for Milei’s party—was no coincidence. According to LaPresse and AP reports, his resignation had been the subject of weeks of speculation and was widely expected to trigger a broader Cabinet reshuffle, a common occurrence in Argentina following major elections. That expectation was quickly realized as Interior Minister Guillermo Catalán also stepped down on the same day, signaling a significant transition within the president’s inner circle.
The backstory to these shakeups lies in the political momentum generated by Milei’s party at the polls. On Sunday, October 26, 2025, voters handed La Libertad Avanza a clear mandate to accelerate Milei’s ambitious program of radical reforms. The victory was so decisive that it not only exceeded pollsters’ predictions but also injected fresh energy into the president’s faltering reform agenda. As reported by AP, the win gave the party enough seats in Congress to defend presidential vetoes—though, crucially, it still fell short of an outright majority. This means that, while the left-leaning opposition can no longer easily pass spending measures that would undermine fiscal austerity, Milei’s team must still negotiate with centrist factions and influential provincial governors to drive through its most sweeping changes.
Francos’ unique position in this landscape made his resignation particularly noteworthy. Appointed chief of staff last year, Francos brought gravitas and negotiation skills to Milei’s outsider administration. Before that, he served as interior minister, managing tense relations with provinces that resisted the government’s aggressive budget cuts. Many of Milei’s far-right supporters viewed Francos—a figure from Argentina’s traditional political elite—with suspicion, questioning his loyalty to the anti-establishment cause. Yet, as AP notes, political rivals and lawmakers hostile to Milei’s agenda saw Francos as a trusted interlocutor, someone capable of brokering deals and maintaining dialogue across the aisle.
President Milei, in a statement acknowledging Francos’ exit, expressed gratitude for his “service to the nation during these last two years of profound reforms that required continuous dialogue with various political forces.” The president’s words underscored the delicate balancing act Francos performed during a period of sweeping economic overhaul, as the administration sought to trim the fiscal budget and attract foreign investment.
With Francos stepping down, Milei wasted no time in announcing his replacement: Manuel Adorni, the president’s chief spokesperson. Known for his combative press conferences peppered with sarcasm and unwavering defense of Milei’s libertarian agenda, Adorni’s elevation marks a shift in style at the heart of government. According to LaPresse and AP, Adorni will officially assume the role of chief of staff on Monday, November 3, 2025. The president described the change as a direct response to the election results, saying, “This change responds to the election results, the need to renew political dialogue and the beginning of this second phase.”
The Cabinet reshuffle comes at a critical juncture for Argentina. Buoyed by the electoral mandate and a $40 billion fund pledge from the Trump administration, Milei has laid out an ambitious agenda for the months ahead. Top priorities include liberalizing Argentina’s labor market and simplifying its notoriously complex tax system—objectives that have stymied previous right-wing governments. The challenge now is to forge the alliances necessary to turn campaign promises into legislative victories.
To that end, Milei has signaled a willingness to engage with provincial leaders. On Thursday, October 30, 2025, he welcomed 20 of Argentina’s 24 governors to the presidential headquarters in Buenos Aires, a gesture aimed at showing openness to dialogue and cooperation. Notably absent were the four governors representing the Peronist opposition, a populist movement widely blamed by Milei for the economic crisis he inherited in 2023. In a candid television interview that evening, the president defended the snub, stating, “It’s very hard to have a reasonable dialogue. We can’t sit down with people for whom two plus two doesn’t equal four.” His remarks, reported by AP, underscored the deep divisions that continue to shape Argentine politics.
The new political landscape presents both opportunities and hazards for the Milei administration. The legislative gains provide a buffer against hostile legislation but do not guarantee smooth passage for his reform bills. Building bridges with centrist parties and regional leaders will be essential, as the opposition retains enough influence to complicate the government’s agenda. The success or failure of upcoming reforms—particularly in the labor and tax arenas—will likely hinge on Milei’s ability to negotiate and compromise, a skill that Francos was known for and that Adorni will need to cultivate quickly.
Meanwhile, the departure of Francos and Catalán has sparked speculation about further changes within the Cabinet. Such reshuffles are a time-honored tradition in Argentine politics, often reflecting shifting alliances and the evolving priorities of the executive. For now, the focus remains on consolidating the gains from the recent elections and translating them into concrete policy achievements.
For supporters of Milei’s anti-establishment platform, the recent developments offer hope that the president’s radical vision for Argentina can finally be realized. Detractors, however, warn that sidelining experienced negotiators like Francos could make it harder to build the coalitions necessary for lasting change. The coming weeks will test the administration’s ability to balance ideological fervor with the practical demands of governance.
As Argentina enters this new phase, all eyes are on President Milei and his revamped team. The stakes could not be higher: with the economy still fragile and political divisions running deep, the choices made now will shape the country’s trajectory for years to come.
