Argentina Elections: New Leader Mauricio Macri Says He Will Correct 'Kirchnerism'
Following Argentina’s historic run-off election on Sunday, the South American country made a turn towards the right with the election of Mauricio Macri.
The election of the center-right Macri puts an end to 12 years of “Kirchnerism,” a policy that has been typified by widespread social programs and left wing politics.
As reported by the BBC, Macri said he would commence correcting policy mistakes made by the outgoing leader Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. The pro-business mayor of Buenos Aires said that currency controls were a mistake.
Macri added that “not providing information and statistics and not having an independent central bank are things we're going to correct."
Although politically Macri represents a definite change in the socialist aims of the current Argentine government, the 56-year-old former businessman has his eye on social issues such as eradicating poverty and tackling drug trafficking.
Macri bemoaned the division that has existed for so long between the Right and the Left in Argentina.
"There is more that unites us than divides us," he said.
The election was close. Macri won with about 51 percent of the vote over Daniel Scioli’s 49 percent.
The Argentine government has been saddled with numerous problems, such as an economy that has been hurt by high government spending, as well as strained relations with the U.S.
Speaking to The Economist back in October, Scioli was confident that Argentina's current policies needed no mending.
"The country is already stable," he said. "No shock or comprehensive economic package is needed."
Whatever obstacles stand before him, Marci was in an ebullient state on Sunday when he led his crowd of supporters in a victory dance from the stage.
Scioli, who had been President Fernández's choice to lead Argentina, was gracious in defeat. As reported in Reuters, Scioli informed reporters that he called Macri to offer his congratulations.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of latinpost.com