In a show of rapprochement to media and society and a new communication style following the cabinet reshuffle announced on CFK’s return to office, newly appointed Economy Minister addressed reporters at the Casa Rosada presidential palace. Axel Kicillof guaranteed the government will make «nothing» that could prompt “sharp” economic changes.
Employment, income redistribution and “Argentineans quality of life” were the mainstays that Hernán Lorenzino’s ex second-in-command outlined to mark the government’s economic agenda. “We have opportunities, the economy must continue (showing) unemployment rates that were inconceivable in the past decades,” Kicillof affirmed in reference to the 6.8-percent figures recently released by the INDEC statistics bureau.
Though not with a full moderate tone in his face-to-face media approach – “will you please let me finish my answer?”, he asked journalists -, but certainly proving the government’s bid to give a new message to people after October’s midterms defeat, the 41-year old minister also referred to inflation, a sensitive issue among Argentineans.
Referring to it as the “variation of prices” and considering the increase of goods and serves a matter that responds to prices volatility «in the international scenario» as well, Kicillof pointed out the government “has been working on price control programs” and will continue to focus on “productivity, competitiveness and the access to global markets” per request of Fernández de Kirchner herself.
Another social concern that people have taken to the streets in the so called pot-banging protests over the past months – a claim especially by middle and upper classes -, has been the government’s crackdown on US dollar purchases. The government has a «comprehensive foreign exchange policy plan» and “will do nothing» to disfavour «workers and businessmen.”
“Historically, there have been pressures on the dollar. We have (international) reserves that have suffered some drops but are (still) strong. The exchange rate is part of a comprehensive plan. We will destine the use of dollars to what matters to the majority. We will do nothing that leads to brusque changes in the economy,” Axel Kicillof finally said during an improvised press conference at the government house where he was sworn in yesterday by President Cristina Fernádez de Kirchner as the new head of Argentina’s economic affairs.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald