The libertarian celebration: explicit support for Karina's creation and an eye toward 2027

"Let's take Milei's model to the City" was the slogan read early on the giant screen in the first-floor lounge of the libertarian bunker, which was set to an unusually low temperature to await Javier Milei , who, just after 8:30 p.m., joined the stage where he introduced the "big winner of the night," Manuel Adorni , the spokesperson-candidate conceived by his sister Karina to begin to displace the PRO in the district with a view to the national elections on October 26 and, in 2027, to fight for the leadership of the Buenos Aires government.

The Secretary General of the Presidency had been one of the first to arrive at the Libertador Hotel, the venue for the 2023 libertarian celebrations, when at 5:40 p.m. she quickly crossed the lobby to enter the elevator that took her to the floor where the President was waiting for her. Already waiting for him were his manager, "Lule" Menem , the deputy chief of staff, Lisandro Catalán, and Darío Wasserman, husband of Pilar Ramírez, the Karinista delegate in the City. The vice president of Banco Nación managed to sneak several of his own legislators onto the violet list.

The Milei brothers awaited the official results from a suite on the 21st floor of the tower with their small table while legislators, militant officials, and celebrities from the libertarian cause chatted animatedly at the banquet set up on the first floor. Present were designer Roberto Piazza, host Karen Reichdart, filmmaker Diego Recalde, and media economist Miguel Boggiano. At the last minute, comedian Alfredo Casero joined the festivities and, after the closing speeches, chatted animatedly with Representative Lilia Lemoine—wearing a face mask—and Twitter user Fran Fijap.

By evening, the mood was relaxed, and while there was no early celebration, most leaders hinted that it was a "close" election with Leandro Santoro, the Kirchnerist candidate, but internally they knew they would be the winners.

Meanwhile, in the hotel lobby, figures from the Libertarian party lined up, but only a few took the elevator to the President's chambers. On the first floor, guests enjoyed jams, and savory snacks arrived once the official results were announced. At 7:15 p.m., when the screens showed Adorni's slightly more than 30 points, relegating Santoro by 3 points and almost doubling Silvia Lospenatto (PRO), there were shouts and applause.

At 8:00 PM, the first-floor hall where the stage was set up began to fill up, with the temperature set to the President's liking, and dim violet lights so as not to obstruct his view. Leaders and members of the libertarian tribes could be seen, such as Gordo Dan, from Santiago Caputo's group, but also the Buenos Aires shipowner Sebastián Pareja, who had previously been with the president on the top floor and didn't hesitate to capture the moment of celebration alongside ministers Patricia Bullrich and Federico Sturzenegger, and the chief of staff, Guillermo Francos. Only those allowed in were wearing a violet wristband; the press and less-privileged guests remained behind a security tape.

At 8:30 p.m., Pilar Ramírez, the leader of the LLA faction in the Buenos Aires Legislature, appeared on stage. She waved her arms and shouted, "The City is painted purple." Accompanied by several ministers—in fact, the entire cabinet except for Sandra Pettovello and Gerardo Werthein, who was visiting the Vatican for the inauguration of Leo XIV—she attempted to become the mistress of ceremonies, getting the audience to sing.

But only minutes later, with the arrival of Javier and Karina Milei, the guests made their enthusiasm felt. The screen showed Karina alongside Manuel Adorni with the caption "Thank you." The LLA president was seen exultant, waving her arms but, as usual, modest with her words: "Hello everyone... The Forces of Heaven have done it again."

The President then took the microphone and once again delivered a harsh message to the PRO party. Taking into account Adorni's subsequent words, in which he invited them to make a "clean slate" with the leaders of the yellow party he faced, Milei continued her attack after having called Mauricio Macri a "crybaby" at noon when she cast her vote. "It's important to be aware that today is a pivotal day: the yellow bastion has been painted purple," she emphasized, in an unequivocal call to her followers to win the district in future elections.

The president, clad in his classic leather jacket, then balanced the exposed Libertarian internal debate by praising the other two members of the "iron triangle," Santiago Caputo and Karina Milei (see separate section). He also thanked his "government team" by praising the militant work of his cabinet ministers. Like a presenter, he ushered in "the big winner of the night," Manuel Adorni, who made his entrance to the strains of the classic Rocky theme song, "Eye of the Tiger."

The exultant spokesperson asked the guests to chant his name. In a way, he always wanted to be famous: he applied for the reality show Big Brother, was chosen as the best tweeter of the year, and from that social network became a columnist for Radio Rivadavia.

"Leave selfishness aside and join La Libertad Avanza, the instrument society has chosen to change Argentina," the spokesperson stated. The message was clear: he was inviting representatives of the center-right to join the change, including the leaders of the PRO (Progressive Party of Argentina), to banish the Ks. "Tabula rasa, anyone who wants to join, will be welcome to LLA. Long live freedom, damn it," he shouted at the end, embodying his role as the victor with open arms. Watching him, excitedly at the side of the stage, was his wife, Bettina Angeletti, an ontological coach who runs a consulting firm.

He also paid tribute to Karina, "the miracle worker." The spokesperson leaned on the presidential sister and built his candidacy from there. The LLA leader emerged strengthened because the Libertarians' entire strategy in Buenos Aires City rested on her structure, which had been questioned by Santiago Caputo's entourage after the party's third-place finish in the Santa Fe district elections. The consultant watched the celebrations from below, but toward the end of the night, he went up to the 21st floor to share the victory with the President.