Title: Power Struggle in Morón:Intendente Lucas Ghi Faces Challenge from Former Ally Martín Sabbatella
In the bustling district of Morón, a political storm is brewing as Intendente Lucas Ghi finds himself in a high-stakes battle with his former ally and one-time mentor, Martín Sabbatella, the leader of their political space, Nuevo Encuentro. Ghi is grappling with the twin challenges of renovating his municipal cabinet and maintaining control, even as Sabbatella, a three-time former mayor, prepares a comeback, seeking to underscore his power and influence.
The rift between the two men has left Ghi’s government in disarray, with only two of the 20 cabinet secretaries and a single councilor remaining loyal to him, while the majority align with Sabbatella. The crisis has even cost Ghi the crucial Orderanza Fiscal, leaving him politically exposed.
The roots of this feud run deep. Sabbatella supporters argue that Ghi failed to groom successors or cooperate to facilitate their elevation, leaving Sabbatella with no choice but to run for mayor in 2027. Meanwhile, Ghi’s camp dismisses this narrative, contending that he is the victim of a destabilization campaign aimed at weakening him and boosting Sabbatella’s chances in the next election.
Ghi’s recent reshuffle saw him replace Diego Spina, a Sabbatella loyalist, as Secretary of Government. Spina, who returned to his old post as councilor, now helms the bloc that voted down Ghi’s fiscal orderanza, further complicating the situation. Meanwhile, Ghi’s appointment of Hernán Sabbatella, Martín’s estranged brother, as a government interlocutor with unions has backfired, with municipal workers now protesting.
Sources close to Sabbatella insist that the crisis is evidence of Ghi’s isolation from the political system and his lack of commitment to New Encounter’s future. "Lucas has no own base [to support his re-election efforts] and he’s not helping with a generational change," a Sabbatella ally told LA NACION.
Ghi’s camp, however, presents a different sequence of events, highlighting Spina’s critical comments about Security Minister Javier Alonso, anonymous chat messages questioning Ghi’s loyalties, and last-minute maneuvers toblock the fiscal orderanza’s passage. They accuse Sabbatella of orchestrating a campaign to undermine Ghi’s authority.
As Morón’s political landscape frays, attentive watchers note the broader regional and national dynamics at play. Some see the struggle between Cristina Kirchner and La Cámpora against Axel Kicillof influencing local politics. But others insist that the fight in Morón is distinct and likely to play out regardless of provincial and national trends.
While Ghi’s attempt to reshape his cabinet and consolidate power could herald a turning point, the road to resolution in Morón appears long and complex, with neither side ready to back down. As the political temperatures rise, all eyes are on the West Greater Buenos Aires district, waiting for the next move in this power struggle.
