Less than 48 hours before the deadline for candidacy submissions for the elections of the Magistracy Council that will govern from 2026 to 2030, the judges’ group “Lista Celeste” faces internal strife marked by two pairs seeking the electorate’s support.
The first is composed of Walter Venditti and Paula Castro, while the other includes Gabriela Vázquez and Alejo Ramos Padilla. The division sparks expectations of a rift within the group, which is the first minority in the National Association of Magistrates and Officials of Justice (AMFJN). Every four years, the groups face internal tensions to define their representatives in the Council, where judges hold four seats. Currently, the Bordó list in power has two councilors, while Celeste and Compromiso Judicial each have one.
Alberto Lugones, a judge from San Martín and outgoing councilor, supported the candidacy of Venditti and Castro. However, his proposal has encountered resistance from the other faction, which claims that the selection of candidates should be resolved through a vote in assembly, rather than being decided by a select group.
On August 12, supporters of Ramos Padilla and Vázquez made a call at the Universidad Atlántida, gathering 160 members of the group to strengthen their position. Discussions intensified in a meeting on August 25 where no consensus was reached. The faction backing Venditti and Castro sought to name the candidates without a vote, while the opposition demanded a decision by assembly.
The disagreement led to the Celeste list announcing Venditti and Castro as its candidates just two days later. This announcement solidified the divide between the factions, which deepened after another meeting where, without Venditti’s participation, it was agreed to present a new list headed by Vázquez and Ramos Padilla.
Both sides are aware that presenting two lists with the same name is problematic. Nevertheless, neither group seems willing to concede. If an agreement is not reached before September 4 at 4 PM, cross-challenges are anticipated that would fall under the jurisdiction of the AMFJN Electoral Board, which could lead to the judicialization of the matter.
The upcoming elections to choose councilors for the body overseeing federal and national judges will take place on October 8.
Source: www.infobae.com
