MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Macri reshuffles economic team after the promised second half recovery never arrived
Argentine President Mauricio Macri on Monday reshuffled his economic team removing finance minister Alfonso Prat-Gay amid a stubborn recession, soaring budget deficit, a discussion on gradualism to address inflation and public opinion deep disappointment with center-right reforms. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesIf there are policy differences of weight then fine, but I don't generally think is a good idea to ditch people so quickly. I would have waited another semester, then made a move.
Dec 27th, 2016 - 05:27 am - Link - Report abuse -8I really don't care if it's CFK or Macri, as I have always said, I respect an amoeba born in Villa 31 or Barrio la Estrella more than I do the King or Queen of a foreign empire. The Amoeba is ARGENTINE, and that's all that matters. The foreigner is a foreigner.
Off - topic Troll,
Dec 27th, 2016 - 06:42 am - Link - Report abuse +4Fidel Nostrils now tells us directly that he is a xenophobic bigot and discriminates against others solely according to ethnicity.
We all knew that of course.
Now, back on topic please.
Macri appears to be open to trying other ideas and policies to improve the situation, unlike the stubborn K ideologues.
Macaroni proscribed a half dose of medicine so the patient wouldn't have to endure the.side effects of that portion required for a full cure.
Dec 27th, 2016 - 12:29 pm - Link - Report abuse -2So rg's malaise extends as its economy languishes.
You can't cure perronism with socialism - you are simply swapping plagues.
If improvement is truly desired it's time to rip the band aid off the festered wound that is rg productivity and excise the structural labor barriers that preclude success.
The big banks and vulture funds have prospered beyond their wildest dreams under Macri and the wealthy have found it much easier to become wealthier.....so, Macri has accomplished his real objectives, just not the stated objectives that got him elected
Dec 27th, 2016 - 02:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0At least Macri has recognised that some of the (probably unrealistic) promises have not been delivered so he is making adjustments accordingly.
Dec 27th, 2016 - 06:24 pm - Link - Report abuse +4This has to be preferable to persisting in failing policies and lying to the population about how bad things are...
@ fidelito “...The foreigner is a foreigner.”
Dec 27th, 2016 - 06:36 pm - Link - Report abuse +9It's foreigners that made Argentina's one-time economic success possible. It's foreign investment in Argentina that now keeps the country from going back to eating grubs and living in mud huts. You have no idea how much more backward Argentina would be were it not for the enormous assistance of foreigners. Of course, as an argento this is beyond your ability to comprehend.
Meanwhile, according to the BBC, CFK has been charged with corruption: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38443546
Dec 27th, 2016 - 07:00 pm - Link - Report abuse +6Of topic but worth it. From the BBC:
Dec 27th, 2016 - 07:10 pm - Link - Report abuse +6“Former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been charged over corruption allegations.
A federal judge approved charges of illicit association and fraudulent administration against Ms Fernandez.
It is alleged that her government steered public contracts to a businessman close to her family.
Ms Fernandez has previously denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the accusations against her are politically motivated.
She has accused current President Mauricio Macri of plotting against her.
In a court appearance in October, Ms Fernandez presented national budget documents as part of her evidence, highlighting that the accounts had been approved by parliamentary bodies and the country's auditor general.”
@EB
Dec 27th, 2016 - 09:05 pm - Link - Report abuse +5Saw that this morning, and on top of this one earlier, it ought to put a crimp in their plans...
http://www.thebubble.com/the-court-removes-maximo-kirchner-from-administering-nestors-estate/
The funny thing about her assertion is that the individuals in government who approved it were on the take as well.
Mr Imoyaro
Dec 27th, 2016 - 11:09 pm - Link - Report abuse +3“
The funny thing about her assertion is that the individuals in government who approved it were on the take as well.”
Add Conspiracy to Commit a Criminal Act to the list of charges.
Heard this announced on the car radio 1/2 an hour ago.
Merry Christmas everyone, and a Happy New Year!!
Best go back on topic now. There is sure to be an MP article on this very soon - lots of fun to come!
Still off-topic but the subject was broached.
Dec 28th, 2016 - 02:02 am - Link - Report abuse +5The international coverage of the new indictment of CFK is pretty interesting
“Former Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner indicted in 'nuns and guns' corruption scandal ”
“Former Argentine President Cristina Kirchner Indicted in Corruption Case ” (bland, sorry)
“Cristina Fernández de Kirchner Indicted Again on Corruption Charges” (you're getting warm now)
' Fernandez “was prosecuted today as a member of a criminal organization that committed the crime of aggravated embezzlement,” state news agency Telam quoted Ercolini as saying.' [ 'not sure prosecution is quite the proper word as this point, but you get the idea]
“Cristina Kirchner’s Real Estate Firm Linked to Odebrecht in 2014 ” (I guess since it's not offshore it's going to be just fine)
The Reekie Mountain Times: “Oh it's just so terrible whimper whimper Macri has taken over the judiciary and all the canneries and she is just sooo innocent whimper whimper”
Voicey Vanguardia: “Oh bla bla bla just look at Jack the Ripper and Guy Fawkes and the orthography of the Papelero Bull so therefore non compos menthol so this is just nothing and oh look a squirrel and my wife is from Hoboken so I know everything about this case”
Film at 11
Of course Marti Llazo is so wrong, and on so many fronts with his ad hoc response, and everyone knows his sweeping statement is so wrong, that I don't even have to bother with to confute it.
Dec 28th, 2016 - 02:21 am - Link - Report abuse -9I have the right to dislike foreigners. It's my personal tastes. You don't have the right to proffer lies as facts. It's just the way life is... :)
And how sad it is that the Argentine justice system is more confidence inspiring than the British one. On the one hand a former president allegedly lies and covers up banal monetary corrupt acts (btw, anyone in jail in the USA and Britain from 2008, or from Libor? Just saying...), and she faces justice. On the other hand a former Prime Minister lies and covers up fake info to take a nation to war and kill countless lives and lit the gas that now has engulfed the entire Middle East, Magreb, Sahel, Europe, Russia, even Pakistan and India, and caused terrorist attacks from Sydney to Toronto to Urumqi, and he is just allowed to run around free.
Who can respect the British justice system when no ONE politician or CEO is jailed no matter how much their wreck your politics or economy? You should be ashamed to be British.
Fidelito, maybe you can help us all understand how CFK ended up with more than 10 billion pesos that the judge in this case ordered embargoed. From being a successful lawyer, or an Egyptian architect?
Dec 28th, 2016 - 03:37 am - Link - Report abuse +4Hey Chopper, thanks for reminding us all of your support for ISIS. By the way, did you ever get that “Hot Date” you keep molotoving cars in hopes of getting? As a wise poster here once pointed out, you couldn't talk some one out of a burning car...
Dec 28th, 2016 - 03:38 am - Link - Report abuse +3http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/imoyaro/chopperdilemma2_zpsd8c87421.jpg
ML
Dec 28th, 2016 - 04:17 am - Link - Report abuse +2“The Reekie Mountain Times: “Oh it's just so terrible whimper whimper Macri has taken over the judiciary and all the canneries and she is just sooo innocent whimper whimper””
“Voicey Vanguardia: “Oh bla bla bla just look at Jack the Ripper and Guy Fawkes and the orthography of the Papelero Bull so therefore non compos menthol so this is just nothing and oh look a squirrel and my wife is from Hoboken so I know everything about this case””
LOL... you're killing me !!!!
Gullible MP commentators including Britain unreserved admirer Marti and infant Kanye jump up and down in the belief that Macri has finally produced his “gotcha” moment by having a judge incriminating CFK for what amount to normal acts of government.
Dec 28th, 2016 - 08:24 am - Link - Report abuse -9Of course, in their myopia, they fail to grasp the fact that Macri is attempting just to deflect attention from a whole host of bad news at the end of a disgraceful year in government.
So sorry to rain on your parade, but you guys still need to learn a few things, including that the much publicized embargo against CFK is just a number designed to provide Clarin with juicy headlines.
Best luck next time.
@FC
Dec 28th, 2016 - 08:37 am - Link - Report abuse +3You have the right to hate foreigners, and we have the right to point out how stupid that is.
And yes, four traders were jailed for rigging the Libor in the UK.
But you can't jail politicians for screwing up politically or economically, incompetence is not a crime, and things like that are a matter of opinion anyway. You can only jail them for breaking the law eg with corruption or by fiddling their expenses, which some MPs were jailed for here.
Which one is happening in the case of CFK?
K Boot-licker Enrique
Dec 28th, 2016 - 09:06 am - Link - Report abuse +4Sorry, rigging the currency exchange market, and skimming hundreds of $m for herself and political insiders are NOT “normal acts of government”.
It's called corruption, common perhaps, but not legal.
@Reekie “.... just a number designed to provide Clarin with juicy headlines.”
Dec 28th, 2016 - 12:35 pm - Link - Report abuse +4We noticed that no other media anywhere else in the region or the world except Clarín picked up the story. That's why the amount was not translated into real currencies. That's why in France you don't see this ”ARGENTINE Nouvelle inculpation pour l’ex-présidente Kirchner ...ordonné le gel de ses biens de 10 milliards de pesos (600 millions d’euros.....)“ and of course nothing of the sort appeared in the German media, like ”Ex-Präsidentin Kirchner wegen Korruption angeklagt.....Der Ermittlungsrichter habe zudem angeordnet, Kirchners Vermögen in Höhe von zehn Milliarden Pesos (600 Millionen Euro) einzufrieren....“ and why Brazil failed to produce headlines like ”Cristina Kirchner é indiciada por corrupção e formação de quadrilha...Ex-presidente, ex-assessores e empresário próximo ao kirchnerismo têm bens no valor de cerca de US$ 644 milhões bloqueados pela Justiça ...” Must have only been Clarín that noticed this rather minor but, you know, wholly unexpected sort of thing.
Reekie, do you even understand the separation of powers of government here? That the executive branch is not the judiciary? It's really not that hard to understand. Similarly, do you really lack the fundamental morality to recognise that a homicide in Somalia does not justify a homicide in Argentina?
The real question now is when will CFK run for office as a diputada so that she will be able to avoid (for a while) going to jail?
@ EM
Dec 28th, 2016 - 01:01 pm - Link - Report abuse +6I respect your right to be slavishly devoted to the ideals CFK spouted - though never adhered to - but this comment from you, 'a judge incriminating CFK for what amount to normal acts of government”, loses my respect entirely. CFK stole from the very people she was supposed to be helping. How can you defend that?
Merry Christmas, ElaineB,
Dec 28th, 2016 - 05:31 pm - Link - Report abuse +5Enrique is an old man now, sitting in his Fortress of Solitude in the bald prairie of rural Alberta, pontificating about the long discredited, obsolete Socialist ideals of his youth.
He is doubtless surrounded by a loving family gathered for Christmas. Successful children, pursuing careers and delightful little grandchildren living a life in safety and comfort. They are confident and secure in their future in a land of rich commodities, properly managed, and a growing economy responsibly governed.
Perhaps after a couple of glasses of Malbec, or maybe a little more, as it's Christmas, Grandfather Massot, basking in the loving warmth of his nearest and dearest, will gather them around the cheery hearth to wax eloquently and misty-eyed, about his boyhood and youthful aspirations in Argentina, those many many years ago. A bittersweet tale of a land of frustrated hopes, a land he left forever. A romantic memory of a place that no longer exists as it was.
EM will persist in what he believes are his ideals, but he is blind to the reality that it is not Argentina that he is supporting by denouncing Macri. He is in fact endorsing the very people that are taking from the people in the name of Socialism only.
Let him be happy deluding himself - it's too bad he feels he must include others in his dementia.
@TT
Dec 28th, 2016 - 07:15 pm - Link - Report abuse +4Haha.
I can happily accept that people have different political leanings and believe they have the answer to a successful economy that includes all citizens. Now wouldn't that be just lovely? It is, of course, a fantasy. What baffles me is that EM believes it is perfectly normal for a president of a country to enrich themselves illegally to the tune of several billion. Where does he think that money came from? It was money destined to improve the lives of the average citizen. To improve the infrastructure. To improve education. To give the poor a chance. But because the Kirchners SAID things he liked to hear it doesn't matter that they didn't actually do them. And it is perfectly normal to steal.
The Kirchners are crooks. They got into power to enrich themselves. Before that they had little money and CFK had never held down a job. She, like Max, are university drop outs. The plan was to throw enough money in the air to create a smoke-screen while they took the bulk of it.
I am glad she is being held to account because I have a greater fondness for Argentina and Argentines living there than EM will ever have,
Just as every argentine is presumably willing to die for the Falklands but none is willing to live there, so, too, is Reekie always the first to fawningly laud and applaud Kirchnerism, but was obstinately unwilling to even consider living in such an Argentina.
Dec 28th, 2016 - 07:32 pm - Link - Report abuse +5Marti:
Dec 28th, 2016 - 10:01 pm - Link - Report abuse -4From other foreign articles:
“The judge’s order froze the equivalent of up to $633m of each defendant’s assets, though it was not clear they have that much,” noted The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/27/cristina-fernandez-de-kirchner-indicted-corruption-argentina
Marti:
I do understand separation of powers--that is why I recognize when such separation is not respected. It hasn't been in Jujuy with the illegal incarceration of Milagro Sala, and hasn't been respected with this hurried indictment of CFK by judge Ercolini.
Elaine:
“The Kirchners are crooks.”
I also understand that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty--and you look kind of in a hurry to inculpate Cristina before her conviction.
Kanye:
“...rigging the currency exchange market, and skimming hundreds of $m for herself and political insiders are NOT 'normal acts of government'”.
Kanye, Kanye. Only members of the current government and corporations such as the Clarin group did benefit from the ”dollar future“ thing--not Cristina, not Axel. On the other hand, the giant document leaks known as ”Panama Papers” did uncover and keeps uncovering dozens of off-shore companies linked to Mauricio Macri--none to CFK. Comprende?
Reekie, Cris is going to jail.
Dec 28th, 2016 - 10:29 pm - Link - Report abuse +6Get used to it.
@ EM
Dec 28th, 2016 - 10:58 pm - Link - Report abuse +3Unlike you who has not been to Argentina for decades and certainly not when the Kirchners were in power, I have been there. I witnessed their criminal activity.
Tell me, how do you think CFK accrued billions whilst in power?
Elaine B:
Dec 28th, 2016 - 11:10 pm - Link - Report abuse -4“Accured billions.”
Come on Elaine. Be serious. Cristina's fortune is what she declared and so far they haven't found the smoking gun, so I do not know where you got your information. They went looking abroad and only found Macri's famous undeclared offshore companies, for which he is being investigated as we speak (but innocent till proven guilty, as it should be). Of course, if CFK got a single peso illegally or “billions” as you say, the pack of Macri judges will be after that. If you, as you say, “witnessed their criminal activity” (the hotel empty rooms as you told us before) then go offer your testimony. Be interesting to hear it.
Mr Enrique
Dec 29th, 2016 - 02:53 am - Link - Report abuse +2You are in denial.
The Judiciary had to be careful to be sure they had a case before laying charges- we all know how volatile the issue is, and the repercussions of laying false charges could come around to bite them, especially if the Left got in again.
A previous Prosecutor Nisman ended up dead when he attempted to prosecute Evita K.
The new “Evita” is going to jail.
Or do you think Argentina cannot hold a fair trial?
Kanye:
Dec 29th, 2016 - 07:46 am - Link - Report abuse -2“Nisman...Evita...the Left...the Judiciary...” never mind that.
Rather, pay attention to the point of the story above:
“The economy is forecast to shrink by around 3% this year, and seven in ten Argentines are worried about the economy, and an equal number think Macri 'governs for the rich,' according to a recent poll.”
See? I told you a year ago that Macri meant business...for the rich. For the poor and the middle class it's a struggle, will continue to be, and it's all right in Macri's plan--as he said, “we need to lower the production costs and wages are part of those costs.”
So what's next? Let's go back to the story:
”As (Macri) starts his second year in office, the promised second half of the year growth has yet to arrive.”
And you ain't seen nothing yet.
@ Kamerad /Komrade Rique
Dec 29th, 2016 - 09:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0You know, I have had to tell you repeatedly that you really don't comprehend English as well as you might think. Elaine used the word “accrued,” quite properly, I might add. You of course, tried to say she said “Accured.” Are you high? I understand that being a Narcokleptocratic tool has its“benefits,” but seriously, you might want to lay off whatever it is you doing...
Reekie,
Dec 29th, 2016 - 11:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0The country 12,000 miles from you is in recession. And will be for some time yet. Get used to it.
Water is wet, the sun tends to come up in east, and the Falklands are British. Get used to it.
CFK is going to prison. Get used to that, too.
Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekie, Cretina is headed for prison.
Dec 29th, 2016 - 12:25 pm - Link - Report abuse -2@ EM
Dec 29th, 2016 - 03:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You undermine your own credibility by refusing to acknowledge anything that fogs your fantasy about the Kirchners. They are crooks. They lied and stole from the very people they should have been helping. I cannot understand why you would defend that.
In the early days of the Kirchners I met a lot of devoted Kirchner supporters. They believed every word and even didn't mind that they syphoned off a bit for themselves. (Because in the same position they would do the same - Argentine cultural leaning). As the years progressed, and particularly in CFK's second term the truth emerged. I saw the change in Kirchner supporters when they realised the empty promises, the rising crime, the inflation, the blatant greed of officials.
In good times when everyone believes things are getting better they will accept their leaders are not perfect. In tough times they absolutely hold them to account. CFK is being held to account for her criminal activity and there will be little sympathy save for the most deluded of her followers.
Enrique
Dec 29th, 2016 - 03:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0““Nisman...Evita...the Left...the Judiciary...” never mind that.”
Oh, NOW you want to get back on topic?
Ok. There is nothing that would please you more than to see the economy go down the toilet.
Poverty and discontent - fertile ground for corrupt Socialists.
Cristina will return the stolen money in 25 years.
Dec 29th, 2016 - 05:45 pm - Link - Report abuse +2Cristina may be granted parole after 25 years.
Dec 29th, 2016 - 06:06 pm - Link - Report abuse +3When she returns the money.
Dec 29th, 2016 - 06:26 pm - Link - Report abuse +1At this point I don't see any of the criminal cases identifying amounts of money actually stolen. Not that such might be the reality of things, but at least it doesn't seem to be a discrete element in the cases being prosecuted.
Dec 29th, 2016 - 09:54 pm - Link - Report abuse +2Hey guys! The INDEC has just revised the numbers for the Argentine economy in 2015.
Dec 30th, 2016 - 01:01 am - Link - Report abuse -3It grew 2.6 per cent according to the organization (revamped by the Macri administration).
In 2014 the Argentine economy grew only by 0.5 per cent, also according to INDEC.
In 2013 it grew 2.9 per cent and in 2012 only 0.8 per cent.
Which is bad.
How much the economy grew during 2016's three first trimesters, that is, the first nine months of the Macri administration?
It did not grow. It shrank. By 2.4 per cent.
Estimates for the whole 2016 predict around 2.5 per cent.
Which is dismal.
@ElaineB
“I saw the change in Kirchner supporters when they realised the empty promises, the rising crime, the inflation, the blatant greed of officials.”
Elaine: I don't deny there was crime, inflation and officials' greed during CFK. However, replace Kirchner by Macri and you get the same picture.
Inflation in the first year of the current administration has roughly doubled, crime has risen exponentially, and officials' greed has already dwarfed anything happening during the Kirchners' time in government. Now for credibility, yours is not greatly enhanced if you keep focusing on a government that ceased to be in power more than a year ago and remain strangely silent about the “achievements” of the current one.
Kanye:
You are hilarious:
“Poverty and discontent - fertile ground for corrupt Socialists,” Kanye noted.
Indeed: causing poverty and discontent among electors in an election year is not the best recipe for any government.
Now, if you are referring to Kirchnerists as “Socialists” you are demonstrating little understanding of what Socialism is, and by the same token, the nature of Kirchnerism. Do some research and then we can debate.
Agreed. Kirchnerismo is closer to the original fascism of the Peronists in their earlier incarnations.
Dec 30th, 2016 - 03:58 am - Link - Report abuse +1ML
Dec 30th, 2016 - 05:27 am - Link - Report abuse +1Fascism and Populism, then.
Sounds worse than theoretical Socialism.
How can Mr. Enrique possibly endorse that?
@Kanye
Dec 30th, 2016 - 07:34 am - Link - Report abuse -1Whatever! Talk is cheap.
Better: Do some reading of your own.
Educate yourself a bit.
You won't regret it.
Mr Enrique,
Dec 30th, 2016 - 10:06 am - Link - Report abuse +1We are all drawing conclusions from what we've been reading for the past 4 - 5 years about Argentina and the K's behaviour.
Something you are unable to do.
Please tell us of Evita K's benevolence.
Let's see if we can get reekie to do some reading and “inform himself” about how the effects of decades of on-and-off peronismo and other argentinismos have created a totally dysfunctional, non-competitive, delusional, crybaby country.
Dec 30th, 2016 - 12:43 pm - Link - Report abuse +2@ EM
Dec 30th, 2016 - 03:12 pm - Link - Report abuse +2Educate yourself? You of all people sound like a hypocrite when you say that. When were you last in Argentina? Where do you get your information from? The people commenting here for the most part are people who have witnessed first-hand the destruction caused by the K's in power. I don't just take information I want to read but listen to disparate sources. Overwhelmingly people are not better off under the K's however much you want to believe it.
@Elaine
Dec 31st, 2016 - 07:12 pm - Link - Report abuse -1My advice to Kanye was just because his difficults to characterize Kirchnerist ideology (a topic even Argentines struggle with). When somebody hesitates between accusing a political movement of Socialist but accept also fascism and populism, then you need to step back and do some research.
Have a Happy New Year!
Mr Enrique
Dec 31st, 2016 - 08:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0No problem, I understand.
You only employed condescension and a patronising attitude to avoid giving a giving a convincing argument.
Evita K and the Kirchnerists = Kleptocracy
Inform yourself!
THE POLICY OF FAILURE.
Dec 31st, 2016 - 11:43 pm - Link - Report abuse -1If Prat gay could make Macri believe that if the government increased the quotation of the official dollar, it wouldn't provoke more inflation, or if he convenced the president that if they paid the voltures almost all what they wanted, that decision would bring a rain of foreign inverstments, and if finally all the policies that they applied just provoked the destruction of a lot jobs, and a whole year of recession, it was obvious that Macri was going to ask Prat gay his renounce. Although the adict hegemonical press that supports this administration helps Macri to justify the hard cuts that he's making, the truth is that next year we'll have legislative elections, and it will be crucial for the cambiemos alliance, although Macri is a donkey who knows so little about economy, he is not stupid, he knows that it won't be enough with his critics against the former admistration, if the economic situation doesn't improve, there won't be any adict press which saves him from collapse, because there has never been any democratic government which could survive after two years of consecutive recession.
On the other hand, it's pretty evident that this people don't see that their relate is too incoherent, they complain all the time about what they call ''heavy inherance'', because they usually say that they received a broken country when they took office, however the first measure that they took, was to reduce the taxes for the richest sectors of the society. If it's true that 7 of 10 think that he governs for the rich, it shows that not many people in the country are too idiot to believe that the bad situation that we are living at the moment, is because of C. F. K. and her populism.
@Axle: “....this people don't see that their relate is too incoherent,....”
Jan 01st, 2017 - 12:51 am - Link - Report abuse +1This people don't see your relate as very coherent, either, Axie. Try writing in English next time.
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