Overview

• Federal judge Alejo Ramos Padilla confirmed Karen Reichardt as La Libertad Avanza’s top candidate in Buenos Aires, aligning with prosecutor Laura Roteta’s view that gender‑parity rules prevent leapfrogging Diego Santilli over her.
• The court move followed José Luis Espert’s resignation, reported in connection with alleged ties to businessman Fred Machado.
• Users resurfaced 2015–2018 posts from Reichardt’s X account featuring racist, classist and homophobic language, along with insults directed at Lionel Messi, many preserved in screenshots despite deletions.
• Reichardt downplayed the uproar as a “football tantrum,” disputed the authenticity of some Messi insults, and suggested she is the target of an operation against her.
• Government and party figures urged her to lower her media profile before Oct. 26, opponents such as Jorge Taiana invited her to public debates, and reporting notes she cannot vote for herself because she is registered in CABA.