MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Macri hopes to strike a political understanding with arch rival Cristina Fernandez
Interior Minister Rogelio Frigerio said the government wanted to negotiate a “basic consensus” with the Peronist opposition over the country's direction 
This includes inviting two times ex president Cristina Fernandez, a divisive figure who led the country from 2007-2015, to talks Argentina's president Mauricio Macri is looking to strike an accord with political rivals, including nemesis Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, in a bid to calm volatile markets ahead of presidential elections towards the end of the year.
Interior Minister Rogelio Frigerio told local radio on Monday that the government wanted to negotiate a “basic consensus” with the Peronist opposition over the country's direction and intended to invite Cristina Fernandez, a divisive figure who led the country from 2007-2015, to talks.
“Cristina Fernández de Kirchner represents an important part of Argentina's electorate and has to be at the table,” Frigerio said.
Argentine markets have been hit hard with investors anxious about political uncertainty ahead of elections that start in October. That has hammered the peso currency and led to a spike in bond yields, reflecting rising risk.
Businesses and investors fear that Cristina Fernandez could undo some of Macri's business-friendly initiatives and revive policies including higher export taxes and currency controls.
Macri has spoken with several opposition leaders to promote what domestic media said was a 10-point pact to alleviate concerns about recession-hit Argentina's political future.
The main aspects would be maintaining a fiscal balance and continuing the fight against inflation. Macri has pledged to hit a primary fiscal balance this year and is battling to bring down inflation running at an annual rate of nearly 55%.
Argentina's economic woes have hit Macri's standing in the polls, while bolstering rivals. Cristina Fernandez has yet to declare as a formal presidential candidate, but is seen as the major challenger if she runs as expected. She recently launched a book “Sincerely” with her life and husband, ex president Nestor Kirchner, family and political experiences, a clear indication of her intentions.
Some Argentine opposition leaders have rejected Macrí's invitation but some dissident Peronists have supported the idea of a big table to discuss the country's future.
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Read all commentsMacri is a shocking amateur.
May 07th, 2019 - 10:18 pm +2What foreign investors fear most, and what keeps them from investing in Argentina, is the risk of a return of 'la Ogre', Cristina.
If this 'political understanding' doesn't include her permanent disappearance from the political arena, Macri is committing political suicide.
EM,
May 08th, 2019 - 05:29 pm +2“Too bad, DA, chronic, Zaphod, etc. Your Batman has turned into a sad Joker nobody laughs about.”
Interesting choice of analogy. Batman is a flawed human who is trying to fight crime as best he can, rather like Macri. Meanwhile, the rogues that Batman is fighting are a collection of duplicitous thieves who will perform any dirty trick they can to get their way. Sounds just like CFK and her cronies!
I think we have a new name for you: Anarky. :-)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Batman_Family_enemies
ZB
May 10th, 2019 - 07:22 pm 0”Batman...is trying to fight crime as best he can, rather like Macri (and) the rogues are duplicitous thieves...just like CFK and her cronies!
Zaphod: You are getting behind the times with each passing day. We know the Argentine oligarchs have always hated all things Peronism and have attempted to taint its image with all sort of unproven claims.
Your hero Mauricio Macri has had four years to show he could govern better than Peronism, perhaps even sending the movement to the history museum.
Instead, the man has sent his own voters and horrified Kirchnerist dissidents back to the fold, making CFK a viable -- and desirable -- alternative come October.
Not only that. Affairs such as the CorreoGate that seriously point to the Macri family are waiting in the sidelines to be judged. Macri, who has campaigned on CFK's alleged corruption, will have to respond for many things of their own once his iron fist on judges loses its power.
I hope you keep making MP postings when that time comes! Will be fun.
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