Argentina appoints next to commander of major economic ministry

Argentinian Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner attends the dedication of El Calafate’s Municipal Cinema in Santa Cruz, Argentina, July 8, 2022. Handout via Charo Larisgoitia/Argentine Vice-Presidency/REUTERS

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – The Argentine government on Wednesday appointed a prominent economist critical of the policies of former president and current vice president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to head its second most important economic ministry. appointed an officer.

The new economy minister, Sergio Massa, has appointed Gabriel Rubinstein as head of economic planning.

Massa himself became the third economic secretary in just one month, following President Alberto Fernandez’s appointment in late July.

Rubinstein’s appointment was expected given Massa, the leader of the ruling center-left Peronist Coalition, is a lawyer by profession rather than an economist.

Rubinstein tweeted: “With professionalism and passion, I will do my best to meet the challenges we must face.

“Despite my inappropriate remarks on social media, I would like to emphasize that the government is willing to have me on the team,” he added.

Rubinstein tweeted that President Fernandez had previously tightened his economic management as Argentina faces a projected 90% inflation in 2022, draconian exchange rate limits, high poverty levels and repeated street protests. was criticizing.

Massa last week stressed the need to boost foreign exchange reserves, pointing to new debt buybacks and progress in negotiations with the country’s main agricultural sector.read more

Reported by Jorge Otaora. By Anthony Esposito.Edited by Kim Coghill

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