The host Alejandro Fantino launched harsh criticism against his partner and recent legislative newcomer, Sergio Figliuolo, known as “Tronco”, after he voted alongside Kirchnerism in one of his first interventions in Congress. The episode generated surprise and discomfort in sectors of the PRO and the libertarian universe that accompany President Javier Milei.
During his program on the Neura platform, Fantino ironically referred to Figliuolo’s vote and launched a phrase that quickly went viral: “I would have given Juan Grabois a tongue kiss.” Far from being a praise, the comment aimed to mark distance with what he interpreted as a gesture of rapprochement with Kirchnerism. In that same tone, the host remarked that “there are many boys voting with the K”, in a broader criticism of leaders who, according to him, do not maintain coherence with the discourse that led them to occupy a seat.
According to La Política Online, Figliuolo’s decision fell badly on the PRO, where they did not hide their surprise at the legislative debut of Fantino’s partner voting in line with Kirchnerism. In this space, they fear that this type of movement will generate confusion among voters and erode the political identity of the opposition bloc.
The crossing exposed internal tensions in the armed groups that orbit around the libertarian ruling party and reopened the debate on the limits of parliamentary pragmatism, especially when it comes to figures who came to Congress with a speech explicitly critical of Kirchnerism.
The episode also revealed the fragility of some recent political agreements and the discomfort generated by certain votes when the electoral narrative is still fresh. In a Congress marked by crossed negotiations and unstable majorities, Figliuolo’s debut once again put into discussion how far the autonomy of the new legislators goes and how much the expectations of those who publicly promoted them weigh.
