EDITORIAL Credibility gap the widest of all Yesterdat 06:52 Massa is widely assumed to model his ambitions on Brazil’s Fernando Henrique Cardoso but even subordinating all else to that goal does not automatically make his policies more predictable.
As I see it The Donald and Cristina show 12-08-2022 11:12 While Trump could well benefit from that FBI “raid” on his garish residential complex in Florida, for Cristina the outlook is rather less promising. by James Neilson
AND THAT REMINDS ME… From Batgirl to Superman? 12-08-2022 10:54 Massa’s rise has relegated President Alberto Fernández to a distant third in the ruling troika where Cristina Fernández de Kirchner retains full veto powers even when abstaining from calling the shots. by Michael Soltys
Corruption & the courts Carpetazo 12-08-2022 09:58 Political persecution through the Judiciary is a real thing in Argentina. by Agustino Fontevecchia
Cristina & the courts Cristina Fernández de Kirchner counter-attacks with claims against Judiciary 12-08-2022 09:48 Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner seeks recusal of prosecutor and judge in Vialidad public works graft trial as court allegations get air time.
Economic Indicators Inflation hit 7.4% in July – highest monthly rate since April 2002 11-08-2022 19:11 Official data reveals prices in Argentina up 71% over the last 12 months; prices have surged by 46.2% so far this year according to INDEC.
PROTESTS IN ARGENTINA Social organisations renew demand for greater inflation aid 11-08-2022 09:47 Decision to spend the night in front of the Casa Rosada was taken after an assembly in which Unidad Piquetera leaders declared that their "demands were not heard" in meetings with government officials.
POLITICS Massa gains ground in energy sector power struggle ahead of IMF talks 11-08-2022 00:03 Sergio Massa removes Energy Secretary Darío Martínez, replacing him with Salta’s Flavia Royón; Power tussle for control of the energy sector finally pans out in the exit of Darío Martínez.
BLOOMBERG - ANALYSIS Economy minister shakes up energy secretary in consolidation of power 10-08-2022 23:59 The move puts one of Argentina’s most politically sensitive offices under Massa after he took over the Economy Ministry amid heightened market volatility.
Cabinet Reshuffle New economy minister vows to respect IMF deficit deal 04-08-2022 18:36 Sergio Massa, Argentina’s third new economy minister in a month, promised to reduce public deficit, as agreed with the IMF, after he was sworn into office.
Cabinet Reshuffle Argentina’s new economy czar sworn in 03-08-2022 17:34 Sergio Massa takes over as the country’s third economy chief in the last month
CORRUPTION Fernández de Kirchner oversaw 'corruption matrix' as president, says prosecutor 01-08-2022 18:52 Argentine Vice President Cristina Kirchner oversaw an "extraordinary corruption matrix" when she was head of state from 2007 to 2015, the prosecution argued Monday in her corruption trial.
EVITA 70TH ANNIVERSARY Peronism unites but also divides to honour Evita 01-08-2022 16:42 Main celebrations by organised labour with separate marches by CGT and CTA umbrellas, President marks day in Chapadmalal.
Cabinet Reshuffle ‘Super’ economy minister faces mounting crisis ahead 01-08-2022 14:10 Following days of uncertainty during the absence of then Economy Minister Silvina Batakis in Washington, the cabinet changes under study by President Alberto Fernández since midweek started falling into place soon after her return Thursday with Congress Speaker Sergio Massa the new “super-minister.”
Argentine Government Argentina Names Third Economy Minister in a Month Amid Crisis 28-07-2022 19:55 Sergio Massa is the new economy minister, in an expanded role. The former lower house speaker takes over from Silvina Batakis, who held office for only three weeks.
Politics Sergio Massa made “super-minister” in cabinet reshuffle 28-07-2022 18:33 The economy, productive development and agriculture, livestock and fishery ministries will be absorbed under one role.
Argentina Protests Argentine protesters demand universal living wage 28-07-2022 18:17 Central Buenos Aires saw a crowd of demonstrators calling for a “universal salary” this Thursday as heads roll in cabinet reshuffle.
Bloomberg Argentina’s bonds rise amid reports of a cabinet shakeup 28-07-2022 15:34 The markets have responded favourably to rumours Economy Minister Silvina Batakis could be replaced by lower house speaker Sergio Massa, which was reported by local media late Wednesday night.
Politics Argentina cabinet reshuffle: rumours of another new economy minister 28-07-2022 13:23 Argentine Government is changing again: Béliz resigns, rumours abound that Sergio Massa will replace Silvina Batakis as economy minister.
Bloomberg Argentina Economy Minister says she has strong political support 27-07-2022 15:55 New Economy Minister for Argentina Silvina Batakis tells Washington reporters she will stabilise economy, claiming strong political support from the government.
Economy 'Green madness' as dollars found at Argentina dump 26-07-2022 14:02 Dollar hoard discovered in local dump. Residents frantically scrabble through trash to try and find the US dollar bills believed to have been discarded inside a cupboard.
Bloomberg IMF sees Argentina committed to programme, with downside risks 26-07-2022 13:27 Officials re-iterate Argentina’s commitment to IMF $44 billion programme, despite economy in deepening crisis and risks on the downside.
SUPREME COURT Cristina at it again with her own VAR against judiciary 25-07-2022 17:41 Vice-President blasts Supreme Court for convicting her in advance and compounding economic crisis, presidential defence.
Society Grabois talks “blood on the streets” 25-07-2022 17:28 Picket leader warns of future looting while rival Raúl Castells tries it out in a Rosario supermarket.
AMIA Bombing Mossad information on AMIA and embassy bombing counters beliefs about perpetrators 25-07-2022 16:46 The Israeli intelligence service showed results of investigation to the New York Times: suspicions that Argentine and Iranian officials were involved have been disproved, generating controversy in Argentina because Iran appears to have been let off the hook.
As I see it Ports in a storm 25-07-2022 15:56 Why is Boris Johnson out of office, but Alberto Fernández clings on? The simplest answer to that question lies in the difference between parliamentary and presidential democracy. by James Neilson
ECONOMIC CRISIS Inflation hits 64% year-on-year, analysts fear worse yet to come 14-07-2022 19:05 No respite from price hikes in Argentina: Inflation hit 5.3% in June, increases totalled 36.2% in first half of this year.
BLOOMBERG - ANALYSIS Argentines brace for 90% inflation after economy minister’s exit 14-07-2022 09:18 Consulting firms in Buenos Aires are predicting that Argentines face the prospect of 90% inflation by year end.
ANALYSIS Argentina’s economic signals need stronger backing, analysts say 13-07-2022 12:28 Analysts say moderate, prudent policy signals that Economy Minister Silvina Batakis announced Monday lack political support, face execution risks and won’t fix the country’s structural problems.
POLITICS The capitulation of Martín Guzmán and the struggle of Sergio Massa 09-07-2022 07:30 After a weekend of fury, a newly reconfigured power structure has been put in place that promises to keep us on our toes, with the vice-president continuing to gain territory. by Agustino Fontevecchia
EDITORIAL Leaps in the dark 09-07-2022 06:00 Always subordinating economic policy to electoral strategy in classic populist style, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner seems convinced that a 2023 election irretrievably lost with Martín Guzmán’s IMF orientation can be turned around with an extreme transformation.
Another week in Argentina Resignation, transition, succession: Inside Guzmán's last days and Batakis' first 08-07-2022 09:48 The economy minister’s decision to step down, the reaction to it and how the government found a replacement – inside a momentous week in Argentina. by Juan Luis González
OPINION Last supper with Guzmán 08-07-2022 09:38 Guzmán backed the laws which increased taxes but not those increasing spending … to reduce or not to reduce the deficit is the question separating the vice-president and the ex-minister. by Jorge Fontevecchia
INSIDE TRACK Soap opera over? The private meeting between Alberto, Cristina and Massa 07-07-2022 23:29 On Wednesday, July 6, at 8pm, president, vice-president and lower house speaker sat down for their first face-to-face meeting of the year so far. by Rosario Ayerdi
BLOOMBERG - ANALYSIS Argentina's subsidy cuts mired in doubt under new minister 06-07-2022 22:14 Several analysts insist that a question mark hangs over Silvina Batakis’ commitment to spending cuts penned by Martín Guzmán and the IMF.
FINANCIAL TURBULENCE Argentina's bonds, currency plunge on Batakis' first day in office 05-07-2022 17:04 Argentina’s global bonds fell the most since they were issued nearly two years ago as Silvina Batakis assumes office.
NEW MINISTER SWORN-IN Batakis sends message to markets as she’s sworn-in as economy minister 04-07-2022 22:17 Argentina’s new economy minister Silvina Batakis says she believes in “fiscal balance” and says Argentina needs “more exports” and to “revalue our currency.” Vowing to talk to the IMF soon, she says that the government's segmentation plan to alter subsidies for public utilities will continue.
Bloomberg Batakis takes reins of Argentina’s economy as markets tumble 04-07-2022 21:34 Silvina Batakis declares that she "believes in fiscal balance" as she is sworn-in as economy minister.
New minister named Fernández and CFK chose Silvina Batakis as Argentina's new economy minister 03-07-2022 22:55 After lengthy negotiations at the Olivos presidential residence, President Alberto Fernández appoints Silvina Batakis to replace Martín Guzmán, who resigned amid a crisis in the ruling Frente de Todos coalition.
POLITICS & ECONOMY Fernández taps Batakis as economy minister to tackle crisis 03-07-2022 22:38 President Alberto Fernández taps Silvina Batakis as the country’s new economy minister to replace Martīn Guzmán, who resigned his post a day earlier.
ANALYSIS Cristina achieves her goal: sacking Alberto's economic team 03-07-2022 09:41 In recent weeks, the pressure bearing down on Martín Guzmán had intensified – both from the markets and from the Kirchnerite wing of the government.
ANALYSIS Guzmán resigns as coalition divisions grow 02-07-2022 22:55 Shake-up raises doubts over whether Argentina can comply with a US$44-billion IMF programme, whose goals and objectives for the second half are seen by private economists view as too challenging to reach.
POLITICS & ECONOMY Economy Minister Martín Guzmán resigns from government 02-07-2022 22:37 Official posts lengthy resignation letter addressed to President Alberto Fernández on social networks; Announcement came as Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was giving speech in Ensenada.
Currency crisis The fateful 30th month of the Fernández-Fernández administration 02-07-2022 07:00 President Alberto Fernández has been hit by a crippling run on the peso that has stretched out over several weeks during the 30th month of his Presidency, as an exhausted economic model has failed to generate confidence and Central Bank reserves. by Agustino Fontevecchia
As I see it The Supreme Court has Cristina in its sights 25-06-2022 00:01 People are beginning to link the inability of the “political class” to run the country in a reasonably competent manner to the corrupt behaviour of some of its leading members. by James Neilson
AND THAT REMINDS ME… Stick it to the pickets? 25-06-2022 00:01 The standard critique of the picket movement as a public nuisance is wholly valid but it is also incomplete. by Michael Soltys
Political economy Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s ‘stupid state,’ piqueteros and inflation 24-06-2022 10:53 A lot of what Argentina’s vice-president says appears sound, but when put in context, it becomes nothing more than a series of half-truths. by Agustino Fontevecchia
POLITICAL PANORAMA Poll: 75% of voters disapprove of President Fernández’s government 16-06-2022 10:40 Presidential approval has picked up slightly but remains close to its lowest levels – three-quarters of voters disapprove of the Alberto Fernández government, according to a new UDESA survey. Inflation spans the grieta rift and is the biggest worry. by Gabriel Irungaray
INTELLIGENCE SERVICES What lies behind the changes at AFI 14-06-2022 14:03 With the exit of Cristina Caamaño and the advent of Agustín Rossi, new challenges open up for Argentina’s Federal Intelligence Agency. Behind the scenes of AFI, an organism in constant crisis. by Rodis Recalt
Political dirt The Kulfas saga and the never-ending Néstor Kirchner pipeline 10-06-2022 20:40 Kulfas was a thorny character for the Kirchnerites within the ruling Frente de Todos coalition from day one. One of the few 'Albertistas' in the Cabinet, he is said to have expressed President Fernández’s own view of the economy. by Agustino Fontevecchia