Manuel José García-Mansilla was sworn in as a new Justice of Argentina’s Supreme Court, reinstating a four-member court after Juan Carlos Maqueda’s retirement. Meanwhile, Justice Ariel Lijo requested a leave of absence as he awaits Senate confirmation of his appointment. The CSJN will convene on March 6 to discuss this request amidst ongoing controversy surrounding the appointments executed by decree by President Milei.
On Thursday, Manuel José García-Mansilla was sworn in as a new Justice of Argentina’s Supreme Court (CSJN) following President Javier Milei’s Decree 137/2025. The ceremony was attended by Chief Justice Horacio Rosatti, Deputy Chief Justice Carlos Rosenkrantz, and Justice Ricardo Lorenzetti, which restored the court to four members after the retirement of Juan Carlos Maqueda last December.
The CSJN is scheduled to convene on March 6 to deliberate on an extraordinary leave of absence requested by Justice Ariel Lijo, who was appointed alongside García-Mansilla. Lijo, who previously led Buenos Aires Federal Court 4, seeks to retain his position should his appointment to the CSJN not receive Senate confirmation, thereby opting not to resign from his former role.
Reports from Buenos Aires indicate that García-Mansilla is slated to attend the Opening ceremony at the Legislature on Saturday, during which President Milei is expected to deliver a 45-minute speech. However, it is clear that Milei will not achieve his aim of having a fully constituted five-member CSJN by that date, as Lijo’s leave request remains unresolved.
The request for Lijo’s unpaid leave has sparked significant debate in light of Milei’s contentious decision to appoint justices via decree. Legal experts suggest that this maneuver is permissible under Lijo’s legal rights, with indications that Justice Lorenzetti may support this course of action. President Milei’s Decree 137/2025, countersigned by Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona, formalized their appointments on a provisional basis in accordance with article 99, paragraph 19 of the National Constitution, valid until November 30.
In summary, Manuel José García-Mansilla’s swearing in reinstates a four-member composition of the CSJN, following the recent retirement of Juan Carlos Maqueda. Justice Ariel Lijo has submitted a request for provisional leave, the implications of which underscore the controversy surrounding the judicial appointments made by President Milei. As the CSJN prepares for its upcoming meeting, the situation remains fluid, particularly regarding the composition of the court and the outcomes of Lijo’s appointment process.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
