Karina Milei takes over as Secretary General of the Presidency; Previously, presidents were prohibited from hiring relatives
Argentine President Javier Milei signed a decree on Sunday (December 10, 2023) that changes a rule created during the government of former President Mauricio Macri that banned the appointment of relatives to positions in public administration. The measure was taken to appoint Karina Milei, the sister of the new head of Argentina's executive branch, as secretary general of the presidential office.
Milei swore in his nine ministers and other officials, including Karina, on Sunday afternoon (December 10), shortly after taking over the Casa Rosada.
Before her sister's appointment, Milei had to revoke a regulation signed by Macri on January 30, 2018, which stipulated that direct or indirect relatives up to the 2nd degree of the President, Vice President, Ministers, Heads of Cabinet and other members of senior government officials could not be appointed to positions in the public sector.
The text signed by Macri states that the rule is “based on the principles of institutionality, integrity and transparency with which we aim to achieve a more effective and efficient administration.”
In the decree published this Monday (December 11) in the Official Gazette, the President was exempted from the restrictions since, as guaranteed by the national Constitution, he now has the power to appoint and dismiss officials in accordance with “the principle of fitness for access to public office.” Here is the full text of the standard in Spanish (PDF 176 kB).
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