Meet Macri
Argentina’s elections on Sunday sent shock waves through Latin America. Traditionally a left-wing populist stronghold, the region’s politics may soon change dramatically. If the example of Argentina is anything to go by, this could happen sooner, rather than later. The centre-right Propuesta Republicana (PRO) swept through Argentina, dethroning Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and the Justicialist Party. With it, the centre-right tide swept away all trace of the Peronist consensus that has ruled Argentine politics for several decades. President Mauricio Macri emerged, but who is he? BRIC Plus News tells you all you need to know about Argentina’s new president.
He was president of a football club
[via Flash 24]
The beautiful game runs through the very blood of Latin America. Brazil has won the most FIFA World Cup tournaments, with a total of five. Argentina also has a proud history in football. With two world cup victories, and three second places (most recently, to Brazil in 2014), and two victories and a second place in the FIFA Federations Cup, Argentina has an indelible place in the footballing world. Mauricio Macri served as president of Argentina’s most successful football club in history.
Taking the helm of Buenos Aires’ Boca Juniors in 1996, Macri ran the club for twelve years, successfully leading it to its coveted status at the top of the league. However, his tenure was not without controversy. The multimillion dollar renovation of Bombonera, the club’s home ground was submerged in controversy, with the renovation contract being given to Impresit. The issue? Impresit is a construction firm owned by Francisco Macri, Mauricio Macri’s father.
Macri was kidnapped
In 1991, Mauricio Macri was taken captive by rogue members of the Argentine Federal Police. Macri was held for twelve days, before a ransom payment secured his release. The ransom estimates have ranged from $2.5 million to $6 million, but this was not the group’s first kidnapping. The corrupt officers were alleged to be part of a major organised crime ring, consisting of 30 people, that had been operating such crimes for decades. Mauricio Macri was not even the only kidnapping victim in the family, as in 2003, his sister Florencia was also kidnapped. Macri’s kidnapping is purportedly what led him to pursue a career in politics, though it was not until 2003 that he made his first foray into the murky world.
First mayor, now president
[via News Daily]
Macri formed Commitment to Change in 2003, and under this party banner, he was elected as Mayor of Buenos Aires in 2007. In 2005, the party ran as part of an alliance in the presidential elections. Joining with Recreate for Growth (Recear), the two parties merged in 2010 to become the PRO. The party captured over 51% of the popular vote in this year’s presidential elections, moving Macri from city hall to the head office of state. Elected on a promise to rebuild the country after years of economic failure, the hopes of the country’s millions may rest upon his shoulders. Argentina has turned against left-wing populism. It remains to be seen whether the rest of Latin America will soon follow suit.
