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Macri confirms gradualist approach to economic reforms in speech to Congress

Saturday, March 3rd 2018 - 10:23 UTC
Full article 7 comments

In his speech to Congress marking the opening of this year’s legislative session, Argentine president Mauricio Macri defended his business-friendly government’s so-called “gradualist” approach to economic reforms from critics who argue he should move faster to cut government spending and lower taxes in order to boost growth and attract investment. Read full article

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  • Brit Bob

    ''Mauricio Macri inaugurated the ordinary session in Congress and did not name the Malvinas in his speech'' (Diario Prensa, 2 March).

    Common sense really.

    How would a map of the world look today if all of the territory lost and gained over the past 180 years reverted to its 19th century status? Quite a ridiculous proposal.

    Falklands – Acquisitive Prescription(1 pg): https://www.academia.edu/35552595/Falklands_-Acquisitive_Prescription

    Mar 03rd, 2018 - 10:38 am - Link - Report abuse +2
  • Enrique Massot

    Truth be told, Macri's 40-minute speech depicted a country that doesn't resemble the real Argentina.

    That is why the crowds of the unwashed were kept far away from the Congress by 2,000 police agents with full anti-riot gear. That is why Macri was televised waving to police, soldiers and horses alone.

    But Macri could not avoid listening to the “Hit of the Summer” during his trip back home, when people watching the motorcade began singing “Mauricio Macri, la p'ta que te p'rio” (MM SOB).

    For all the BS Macri spewed in his speech about a growth that is “invisible” and his oft-repeated motto that “the worst is behind us” he got his just reward.

    Mar 03rd, 2018 - 03:55 pm - Link - Report abuse -3
  • DemonTree

    @EM
    You said the same thing before the midterms, but his party did pretty well in those. Evidently enough people think his speech resembles the real Argentina, and you are only getting half the story.

    Mar 04th, 2018 - 08:45 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Enrique Massot

    @DT

    True. There are many Argentines who still trust president Macri. However, I would hesitate to use an election as evidence that things are going in the right direction. Hey, during CFK mandate analysts saw the glass half empty and now that's exactly my view on the current government.

    According to recent polls of opinion, Macri still enjoys the confidence of about 38 per cent of Argentines. This is about 13 per cent less than two months ago, and among other things, the reforms to pension law with Congress surrounded by anti riot police has been noted as a cause.

    One of the main “accomplishments” of the current government in his proclaimed “return to the world” has been to significantly increase Argentina's foreign debt while the country's repayment capacity has eroded significantly.

    In any event, rigorous analysis is a virtue and it will be interesting to keep watching Argentina's evolution under its first elected rightist government.

    Mar 05th, 2018 - 01:20 am - Link - Report abuse -3
  • DemonTree

    @EM
    “I would hesitate to use an election as evidence that things are going in the right direction”

    I agree with that. A government being popular does not mean their policies will be good in the long term. I just think there is another side to Argentina, people who want to 'rejoin the world' and be able to believe in their government's statistics, as well as able to buy cheap iPhones like their friends in Chile or the USA. CFK was supposed to be favour of regional integration but wouldn't even trade with Uruguay and Brazil freely. They may not approve of everything Macri is doing, but a lot of people wanted a change.

    Also, I could be wrong, but wasn't Menem's government an elected rightist one? I seem to remember you complaining about how similar Macri's policies are to Menem's.

    Mar 05th, 2018 - 07:12 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
  • Enrique Massot

    @DT

    Sure. Menem ended up being more conservative than many, however he climbed to power using the Peronist party and for a long time played the Peronist card.

    Regarding your second paragraph, no doubt the CFK government made mistakes, alienating many initial supporters.

    However, all signs point towards a crisis of huge proportions as the country becomes more and more vulnerable to events it cannot control such as interest rates increases that will make debt service payments unbearable.

    If, against all odds, the Macri government succeeded increasing Argentina standing and improving life for the population majority, I would be happy to be proved wrong.

    Hey, even postings of staunch Kirchner-bashers and Cambiemos apologists are becoming a rarity these days...are they are smelling rotten fish?

    Mar 07th, 2018 - 04:16 am - Link - Report abuse -1
  • DemonTree

    Hmm, I thought Peronism wasn't really a right-left thing at all? Peron himself was more of a 'third way' politician, taking bits he liked from both the right and the left, and probably never thought he'd end up founding such a movement. Looking at the diverse parties all claiming to be Peronist, it's hard to see what defines it at all.

    As for CFK, besides her own policies I think seeing what has happened to her ally Venezuela made voters nervous and want to seek a different path.

    The problem for Macri or anyone is that less borrowing = more austerity which nearly always makes recessions worse, so he's in a bit of a bind. But I agree the debt level is getting worryingly high, and will still be there causing problems after Macri has gone.

    Mar 10th, 2018 - 08:59 am - Link - Report abuse +1

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