Marcela Losardo defended the judicial reform: "Alberto Fernández did not succumb to the temptation of having addicted judges"

08/31/2020 - 0:21

• Clarín.com
• Politics

In an extensive interview, Marcela Losardo defended the judicial reform that received half a sanction in the Senate. The justice and human rights minister said the bill did not undergo "substantial changes" in that session. And he came out at the crossroads of the opposition's speculations: "Alberto Fernández did not succumb to the temptation of having addicted judges."

Losardo initially referred to the controversy that broke out in the Upper House on Thursday, when part of the opposition criticized the introduction of last minute changes, including the creation of Appeals Chambers in nine provinces and a Resolution Court of Competition Conflicts.

"The project did not change substantially. The axis is exactly what was presented. There were some changes in minimal issues," said the minister, who denied that the new cost of the project reaches 6,000 million pesos.

In addition, he criticized the opposition: "There is a sector that refuses to deal with the project. It is a responsibility. Who from the opposition or the ruling party does not say that nothing should be done with Justice? Who can say that Justice federal is not a problem? ".

Regarding the objectives of the bill, he pointed out that the government seeks to "end the pendulum Justice" and said that the initiative responds to the demand for high levels of insecurity.

"Another thing they said, that nobody is interested in this project. If the people are not interested in combating drug trafficking in our country and legislators say that, we are in trouble. The same with human trafficking," Losardo evaluated in the program "RM" (A24).

Marcela Losardo and Alberto Fernández, on the day of the swearing-in of ministers. Photo Federico López Claro

In another section, he denied that it is a "project of impunity", as cataloged by other sectors. "It was installed in a way and is far from reality. There is no article that establishes that impunity for anyone is possible," he said.

Regarding the interference of Cristina Kirchner , he asserted: "Cristina and Alberto are constantly talking. And they lead a country. Surely he must have had an opinion on the project. What does it have to do with it passing through Cristina's hands."

He justified the generation of new courts, since now "they will have more time" to devote themselves to "federal criminal justice issues." He also took the opportunity to counter accusations of arbitrariness in the appointment of new judges.

"We are forgetting that there is a Council of the Magistracy, which selects the judges. Who thinks that the Government can appoint all the judges? There must be consensus, the best judges will be chosen," said Losardo. 

Asked about the alleged search for favoritism among the magistrates, she was emphatic: "Alberto did not succumb to the temptation of having addicted judges. We came to change him. It is not a matter of faith, it is to read the project. No one can think that, to appoint more judges feds, he's going to handle the situation. "

And he continued: "Alberto says it: the worst thing you can do is appoint a judge in love with the power of the day. The worst thing is not having a judge who is independent. The judge has to be independent and honest."

Losardo also harshly criticized the Juntos por el Cambio government and put a cloak of suspicion on the Mauricio Macri administration.

"I do not know if he wanted to be transparent and have an independent justice. From what we have lived and is emerging, he felt comfortable. It was not a question of money, because money was used for other things. They were comfortable with that Justice," he said.

In the end, she referred to her future: " I didn't think of quitting. Not crazy. I came to accompany Alberto, I will accompany him as long as he needs it. We came to make this change. I am proud that he called me for this topic".