Cristina monopolizes the Peronist leadership: Máximo's chances grow, Massa resigns, and Kicillof offers no resistance.

A second outcry from leaders led by Cristina Kirchner has renewed momentum for the possible candidacy of her son, Máximo , head of La Cámpora, for first place on the list of deputies in the province of Buenos Aires. What was initially interpreted by the rest of the Peronist tribes as a maneuver to impose conditions in the negotiations has gained momentum, although everything indicates that the decision will come this weekend , just before the deadline.

Axel Kicillof had already publicly endorsed the possibility of Máximo Kirchner heading the ticket for the October 26 elections. "There is no veto for anyone," he said, avoiding the rejection of the leader of the Buenos Aires PJ (Party of the People's Party), with whom he has long clashed, particularly in recent months, when the rift became more explicit with the differences in electoral strategy and the dispute between the governor and the former president over the leadership of the party.

Even so, Kicillof did not object—nor will he—to the eventual nomination of the leader of La Cámpora. He had initially warned that Cristina Kirchner would be prominent on the list for the national election. In response to the second wave of social media announcements—Sergio Palazzo, Martín Sabbatella, Mónica Macha, and others, following a group of mayors last week—in La Plata, they reaffirmed that they will not hinder his candidacy if confirmed.

“I hope it's him. There's no better candidate than the one who wants to be. We're here to join forces to face Milei ,” said a Buenos Aires Cabinet minister, hoping to put the internal elections on hold during the campaign for both elections, the provincial one in September and the national one in October.

Another leader of the Right to a Future Movement, led by the governor, even considered that it could be positive for Peronism to consolidate the core vote in an election that, they admit, will be complicated for Fuerza Patria. " The Kirchner surname on the single ballot could be better than a mayor with less knowledge, which you have to find. Cristina is considering this to get more representatives, and we think it's a good idea, although the relationship remains poor," he confirmed, adding that there would be no objections to the nomination of the former leader of the Frente de Todos bloc of representatives.

The reference to the mayors was because, beyond Máximo Kirchner, Federico Achaval (Pilar), Mariel Fernández (Moreno), Ariel Sujarchuk (Escobar) and Nicolás Mantegazza (San Vicente) were floated as potential candidates, in addition to former Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana.

A few days ago, after the first outcry over the leader of La Cámpora, the mayors aligned with Kicillof had offered some resistance and viewed it as a ploy—a feint—ahead of the final decision-making process. “ They're putting the cuckoo on the spot and keeping you on edge until the last minute, to put together the lists the way they want, ” interpreted a mayor close to the governor.

Sergio Massa had never fully endorsed the possibility of running, but if there were any chances, they became more diluted in recent hours. "The most important thing is unity, everything else is secondary," he said, removing himself from the spotlight in the discussion about the closures. The former Minister of Economy made this move after a conversation with Cristina Kirchner.

Given this scenario, Juan Grabois would have fewer arguments for running on the sidelines, although he hasn't ruled it out yet—Patria Grande hasn't signed up to join the coalition—perhaps as pressure to secure more spots on the list. "It depends on how the candidates finish; if we go separately, we can get more votes and secure more seats than if we go together," said people close to Grabois. Cristina Kirchner agreed to call him when a decision is made.

The former president had prepared the ground for a meeting with Kicillof, although due to the tension in both camps, they did not rule out the possibility of the same thing happening and resolving it with a telephone call. The governor requested four spots (the number of deputies from his party who will finish their term) within the first 15 they estimate will be elected.

The Renewal Front will seek the same number of seats. The Kirchnerist party's terms are set to expire. The total is 15, although they will have to reach an agreement with Grabois and Guillermo Moreno, the former Secretary of Commerce, who could be a candidate.