Ricardo Alfonsín appointed Ambassador to Spain

The radical leader Ricardo Alfonsín was appointed Argentine ambassador to Spain today by President Fernández. The decision was officially communicated by the Peronist leader to his fellow head of state, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, during their bilateral meeting today in Madrid.

Alfonsín has been linked to the Argentine president even before taking on the new role. Alfonsín, however, had previously denied that he would participate in the new government. Nonetheless, earlier today he accepted the prestigious position. The position had been vacant since December after Ramón Puerta's departure.

The former national deputy, who was very critical of Unión Cívica Radical (UCR)’s participation in Cambiemos, visited the then president-elect, in November, to talk about the new Argentine political stage.

They had, at that time, a cordial dialogue, in which they agreed - as they later confirmed - about the need to respect democracy despite their differences. "I was glad to find the same Alberto Fernández I had met before," Ricardo said, when leaving the meeting in Puerto Madero.

Fernández recently met with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, and will meet soon with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The president has been visiting various European countries to meet with world leaders as he vies for support in IMF debt renegotiations.

—PERFIL/TIMES