By Anne Krueger (*) - Argentina's President Mauricio Macri knew that he had inherited a sick economy when he took office in 2015, but failed to take his medicine. As a result, the country now has no choice but to face up to a period of painful structural adjustment.
The Argentine representation in the Mercosur parliament, Parlasur, is considering inviting a group of 'kelpers' Falklands/Malvinas lawmakers, 'to listen to their needs and promote cooperation, but in the framework of Argentina's unrenounceable sovereignty claim over the Islands'.
The United Kingdom government has released a statement pointing out the “three areas” British Prime Minister David Cameron and President Mauricio Macri “covered” during their Davos meeting on Thursday.
The United States is ending its policy of opposing most lending to Argentina from multilateral development banks, the US Treasury Department announced. US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew informed Argentine Finance Minister Alfonso Prat-Gay of the move on Thursday when the two met in Davos, Switzerland, the department said in a statement.
Argentina’s conservative, business-friendly president-elect Mauricio Macri won the presidential election earlier this month with 51.34% of the vote, according to final results released Monday. His rival, incumbent Daniel Scioli, finished with 48.66% percent, said the head of the national electoral authority, Alejandro Tullio.
“Change is possible, thanks so much for having believed”, were the first words of Argentine president-elect Mauricio Macri when he appeared on stage at his packed headquarters in Buenos Aires, Sunday evening. Visibly emotional and euphoric, Macri said “it is a historic day for Argentina, a change of times. A change that will guide us to the future”.
Mauricio Macri is Argentina's next president following the results of Sunday's runoff, the first in Argentine history. He will take office on 10 December replacing president Cristina Fernandez and twelve years of uninterrupted Kirchnerism. Although definitive results are yet to be announced by electoral officials, the primary vote counting indicated that Macri was winning with a four percentage points over incumbent Daniel Scioli.
Argentine presidential opposition candidate Mauricio Macri closed his campaign ahead of Sunday 22 November runoff calling for change and unity while the incumbent hopeful Daniel Scioli said the option was between 'a development inclusive project' or the savage capitalism demon.
What are the main drawbacks of the Argentine presidential candidates, ahead of 22 November runoff and following their exposure in last Sunday's debate, is the question a Buenos Aires pollster has tried to unveil, and how much could they in effect influence Sunday's vote.
Sergio Massa, the third contender in the Argentine presidential dispute and who did not make it to the runoff last 25 October, but managed 21% of ballots, some five million votes, compared to incumbent Daniel Scioli's 37% and Mauricio Macri's 34%, has been very careful in advancing whom he would support or recommend to vote on Sunday 22 November.