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News > Latin America

Argentine Lawmaker: 'Give Tips' to Combat Economic Crisis

  • Legislator Elisa Carrio, member of Macri's Cambiemos, or Let's Change, party.

    Legislator Elisa Carrio, member of Macri's Cambiemos, or Let's Change, party. | Photo: EFE

Published 4 July 2018
Opinion

Elisa Carrio's remarks came after minister Dujovne addressed Congress to explain the country’s IMF deal and defend the government's economic policies.

Ruling party legislator Elisa Carrio recommended that middle class Argentines promote economic activity by tipping. Her remarks were made after minister Nicolas Dujovne addressed Congress to explain the country’s pending loan with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) amid deepening economic crisis.

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Despite the economic reforms adopted by President Mauricio Macri’s government, the Argentine peso continues to lose value and the purchasing power of people in Argentina continue to deteriorate.

During his intervention, Dujovne told legislators “we are sure that the worst is over.” His comment was met with skepticism.

Axel Kicillof, senator and former minister under Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s presidency, criticized Dujovne for blaming the previous government for the current crisis and argued that the reason behind the crisis is Macri’s economic program.

“You opened the imports, broke the industry but also created a deficit in the trade balance… liberalized currency exchange and flows, which generates a huge financial gamble. You’ve generated such an external vulnerability that you call it an international problem,” Kicillof lamented.

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Many in Argentina -workers, students, and social movements- have rejected negotiations with the IMF because of the austerity measures getting an IMF loan entails.

In this context, Elisa Carrio said on national TV “I know there is hopelessness and that the impact (of the economic crisis) is felt on salaries. The first recommendation that I give the middle and middle-upper classes is to give tips.”

Carrio was fiercely criticized by opposition legislators. “What an interesting way Carrio found to endure the pathetic crisis they have created. I don’t know anymore if she has lost contact with reality or if her cynicism is enormous. Shame,” legislator Alberto fernandez responded.

Senator Pino Solanas asked Carrio “Why don’t you ask (treasury minister Nicolas) Dujovne to bring the money he has in offshore accounts? Why don’t you ask the mining companies to pay their retentions?”

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