On May 1st, the governor of Tierra del Fuego, Gustavo Melella, published in the province's Official Gazette the decree calling for constituent assembly elections, scheduled for Sunday, August 9th. This occurred just as the Tierra del Fuego legislature had repealed the law authorizing constitutional reforms that same morning, a law which the governor had already announced he would veto. Tierra del Fuego has thus entered a legal quagmire, as the governor attempts to hold elections based on a law that is no longer in effect.

The institutional crisis in Tierra del Fuego has reached a point of no return . In the early hours of Friday, May 1st , while the Legislature repealed Law 1529 at 3:50 AM with an overwhelming majority of 11 votes, the Executive counterattacked by publishing Decree No. 751/26 in the Official Gazette. This "war of laws" leaves the province in an unprecedented situation: a governor calling for the election of constitutional convention delegates on August 9th based on a law that the Legislature has already declared dead.

The Veto as a tool of isolation

Far from heeding the political message from the chamber —where the three factions of Peronism, the MPF, and La Libertad Avanza converged in their rejection— Melella confirmed that he will proceed with his veto of the repeal . This decision not only disregards the will of the people's representatives but also deepens a marked political isolation at both the provincial and national levels . The government's argument of "ending privileges" clashes with a reality where the reform appears to be, primarily, a way to secure a third term .

The "Judicial Mandate" vs. Political Legitimacy

Melella justifies his decree by claiming compliance with a deadline imposed by the Superior Court of Justice . However, legislator Jorge Lechman , who spearheaded the repeal, has been clear: since Law 1529 no longer exists, the call for elections lacks any legal basis . Publishing a decree of such magnitude on a holiday, ignoring the majority vote of the Chamber, reveals an administration that prioritizes conflict over dialogue at a time of the province's greatest economic, financial, social, and public services crisis.

Legislative Insistence

According to the Constitution of Tierra del Fuego, the Governor has the power to veto (reject) a law passed by the Legislature, either in whole or in part. However, the Legislature has the power of "insistence" to ratify the law that approved its repeal.

Key fact: In the session held in the early hours of May 1st, the repeal of Law 1529 received 11 votes in favor . This means that, if the legislators maintain their positions, they have enough votes (exceeding the required 10) to override Melella's veto and impose the repeal .