The leader of the ruling party block, Miguel Siciliano, came out in support of the official decision and explained that the opposition's criticisms are because they "play to the gallery." He dismissed any idea of calling a popular consultation.
Argentina.- After the government of the Province of Córdoba decided to move forward with the tender for casinos and slots across the provincial territory, five opposition provincial blocks presented a bill to call for a «popular consultation» on the privatization of the gambling business in the province.
The project, signed by legislators from the UCR and the Left Front, proposes that the government of Martín Llaryora ask the people of Córdoba if they agree with the privatization of existing casinos, the creation of new establishments, and the installation of more rooms with slot machines. The consultation would be held in a plebiscite the Sunday following the 60 days after the resolution is sanctioned, with official publication in the Official Gazette and on the Legislative Power's website.
This proposal has generated debate, with criticisms about the progress of the tender and the possible implications of privatizing the sector, which until now has been under state control. Some opposition legislators, like Matías Gvozdenovich, pointed to the influence of private companies, such as the Andesmar group and Fuente Mayor, which would have held conversations with provincial officials to secure the gambling business.
In response to these criticisms, the head of the ruling party block, Miguel Siciliano, came out to publicly support the decision and explained that much of the actions carried out by the opposition are only for the purpose of gaining exposure in public opinion. "I think that the opposition plays to the gallery on the issue of gambling. It must be considered that a plebiscite is an election. It costs billions of pesos. Are they against the government privatizing loss-making casinos?", explained the official to Perfil Córdoba.
See also: Four companies compete for the concession of casinos and slots in Córdoba
Later, Siciliano went further and explained that it is not about ideological questions, but purely political ones. "They are contradictory since in the national Congress they approve all the privatizations to the president (Javier) Milei and here they oppose. We want there to be no monopoly on gambling and for the State to stop participating. The only one left is the one in Carlos Paz because it is profitable", he detailed while reflecting: "Sometimes I think they oppose just for the sake of opposing."
