Federal judge Ariel Lijo went before Argentina’s Senate to make his case for a place on Argentina’s Supreme Court in the Senate on Wednesday.

The 55-year-old federal judge was formally nominated by President Javier Milei in April. The decision sparked controversy, with critics pointing to Lijo’s sluggish conviction rate. Moreover, both Milei’s nominees are men, meaning the country’s top court will be all-male if both are appointed.

The Supreme Court should have five members, but there have been just four since Justice Elena Highton de Nolasco resigned in October 2021. Appointments need to be approved by two thirds of the Senate, and Alberto Fernández could not secure the necessary political support to name her replacement during his presidency.

In December, Justice Juan Carlos Maqueda turned 75, the constitutional age limit to serve on the court.

Alongside Lijo, Milei nominated Manuel García Mansilla, a law school dean known for his anti-abortion views.

Lijo has been a federal judge for 20 years. Currently head of Buenos Aires City’s Federal Criminal and Correctional Court No. 4, he was the judge who investigated the cover-up of the 1994 AMIA bombing, eventually sending former President Carlos Menem to trial.........

© Buenos Aires Herald