Both currently spend their days in the eye of the judicial hurricane due to complaints of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds in previous administrations, accusations that put their efforts and, above all, their integrity on alert.
In dialogue with New dairythe renowned constitutional lawyer Sebastian Aguirre Astigueta shed light on the complex legal processes that these mayoral communal chiefs face, as well as the possible political implications that could arise from their cases.
In case of Javier Wayarmayor of La Merced, is tainted by accusations of irregular payments of bonuses to pro-government councilors, as well as a questioned bailment contract that omitted the procedures established in the municipal Charter.
For its part, Sergio Ramoscommunal chief of Rosario de Lerma, faces charges of alleged embezzlement, related to the diversion of public funds intended for a project that never materialized.
For Aguirre Astigueta, the dismissal of a mayor in Salta can only occur due to a criminal conviction or poor performance of the position. However, he stressed that until such sentences are final, that is, they become res judicata after being reviewed by a higher authority, they do not have a direct impact. This legal nuance, added to the complexity of the impeachment process and the possibility of appeals that prolong the resolution of cases, poses an uncertain outlook for the political future of these municipalities.
Regarding the Clean Record Law, Aguirre Astigueta clarified that this provincial legislation prevents the presentation of candidates convicted in the second instance for certain crimes, as long as the conviction is final and it involves crimes against public administration, corruption, sexual integrity or drug trafficking. This law, designed to safeguard the moral integrity of candidates, would certainly add an additional layer of complexity to the cases in question.
A key aspect is the possible call for elections in the event of dismissal or disqualification of the current mayors. Aguirre Astigueta highlighted that, according to the provincial Constitution, only if there is one year left before the end of the mandate can early elections be called.
More doubts than answers
Another relevant point is the role of the Deliberative Council during these processes. Who assumes command in case of leave from the mayor? How is governance and administrative continuity guaranteed? These are questions that are raised in the midst of the legal and political uncertainty surrounding La Merced and Rosario de Lerma, without the respective councilors so far answering for it. It is important to emphasize that the accusations against Wayar and Ramos refer to previous administrations, which adds a temporal and serious component to the analysis. How will this affect the political and administrative stability of the municipalities in the short and long term? The truth is that there are clear changes today in citizen perception regarding transparency and honesty in public management. The cases of Wayar and Ramos not only test the strength of the judicial and political institutions in Salta, but also raise fundamental questions about accountability, the moral integrity of political leaders, and the ability of the legal system to guarantee justice. justice and transparency in public administration.
