Gabriel Katopodis, the grandson of immigrants from Lefkas, Greece, has emerged as the big winner in Argentina’s provincial elections, dealing a crushing blow to President Javier Milei’s far-right party.
In Sunday’s vote for the province of Buenos Aires, home to 40% of the country’s population and one-third of its GDP, Katopodis secured 47% of the ballots. His opponent, Diego Valenzuela of Milei’s Liberty Advances (LLA), trailed with just 33.8%. The defeat was so decisive that Milei himself acknowledged it as a “clear loss,” vowing to review and adjust his political strategy.
Less than two years into his presidency, Milei faces a major setback: his party secured only two of eight districts, casting doubt on his ability to gain ground before October’s midterms. The vote was widely seen as a rebuke of his harsh “chainsaw” austerity policies, amid rising unemployment and a corruption scandal involving his inner circle.
Who is Gabriel Katopodis?
Katopodis, 58, is a prominent Peronist figure and seasoned public servant. Born in Buenos Aires’ Belgrano district in 1967, he studied law at the University of Buenos Aires and later earned postgraduate degrees in public administration. His political journey began in poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires province, where he worked on social projects during the presidency of Nestor Kirchner.
Over the years, Katopodis held several key roles, including deputy minister in the provincial government and, most notably, Minister of Public Works under President Alberto Fernandez from 2019 to 2023. In that role, he prioritized job creation and infrastructure development, denouncing the massive debt left behind by his predecessors. Today, he serves as Minister of Public Works in Buenos Aires province under Governor Axel Kicillof.
Beyond politics, Katopodis is rooted in family life. Married to teacher and politician Nancy Capelloni, with whom he has two children, he has lived in San Martin since the 1980s. A devoted supporter of Boca Juniors and a practicing Greek Orthodox, he continues to embrace his Hellenic heritage while rising as one of Argentina’s influential political figures.
