Mauricio Macri

Macri was born in Tandil in the province of Buenos Aires, the son of Italian-born tycoon Francesco "Franco" Macri (owner of the Philco affiliate in Argentina) and Alicia Blanco-Villegas Cinque.{{cite news|date=16 October 2016|title=¿Quién es Alicia Blanco Villegas, la madre de Mauricio Macri?|language=es|trans-title=Who is Alicia Blanco-Villegas, the mother of Mauricio Macri?|newspaper=La Nación|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1947637-quien-es-alicia-blanco-villegas-la-madre-de-mauricio-macri|access-date=22 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123132642/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1947637-quien-es-alicia-blanco-villegas-la-madre-de-mauricio-macri|archive-date=23 November 2016|df=dmy-all}} The family moved to Buenos Aires a short time later, and kept their houses in Tandil as vacation properties. His father, and his uncle Jorge Blanco Villegas, influenced Macri to become a businessman, and Franco expected his son to succeed him as leader of his firms. Macri preferred his uncle's company to constant scrutiny by his father. He was educated at Colegio Cardenal Newman,[http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1849283-los-amigos-de-macri-del-cardenal-newman-y-la-empresa-al-poder "Los amigos de Macri: del Cardenal Newman y la empresa, al poder", La Nacion, 27 November 2015.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619055907/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1849283-los-amigos-de-macri-del-cardenal-newman-y-la-empresa-al-poder|date=19 June 2016}} (Retrieved 17 June 2016) and received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina. At this time Macri became interested in neoliberalism and joined the now-defunct Union of the Democratic Centre and a think tank led by former minister Álvaro Alsogaray.Todo Macri, pp. 8-10 In 1985, he briefly attended Columbia Business School, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Universidad del CEMA in Buenos Aires.[http://www.cema.edu.ar/cgc/download/2004/cvmacri.pdf Mauricio Macri's curriculum vitae] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627232406/http://www.cema.edu.ar/cgc/download/2004/cvmacri.pdf|date=27 June 2007}}, CEMA; accessed 23 November 2015.

Macri's professional experience began at SIDECO Americana, a construction company which was part of his father's Socma Group (Sociedad Macri) holding company, where he worked for three years as a junior analyst and became a senior analyst. In 1984, he worked in the credit department of Citibank Argentina in Buenos Aires. Macri joined Socma Group the same year, and became its general manager in 1985. In 1992, he became vice president of Sevel Argentina (then manufacturing Fiat and Peugeot automobiles under licence in Argentina as part of Socma), and became president two years later.

File:Palermo, personalidad destacada del deporte.jpg, football player of Boca Juniors.]]

Macri intended to run for chairman of sports club Boca Juniors in 1991, but his father convinced him to keep working at Sevel. He tried to buy the Deportivo Español team, but could not get support from the team's board of directors. Macri supported Boca Juniors, paying coach César Luis Menotti's salary and buying players for the team (including forward Walter Perazzo). Franco, skeptical about his son's prospects for success, later allowed him to run Boca Juniors. He instructed aide Orlando Salvestrini to work with Mauricio for two reasons: to help him and to monitor his activities. Mauricio met with former Boca Juniors chairmen Antonio Alegre and Carlos Heller, and tried to convince them to work with him; both rebuffed him. Macri later sought the support of other groups in Boca Juniors, eventually winning the team's internal elections in 1995 with 7,058 votes.Todo Macri, pp. 29-33{{cite news|url= https://www.clarin.com/deportes/dia-goles-primera-victoria-macri_0_SyMg_YktDQx.html|title= El día de los 10 goles y la primera victoria de Macri|trans-title= The day of the 10 goals and the first victory of Macri|language= es|author= Guillermo Dos Santos Coelho|date= 3 December 2015|newspaper= Clarín|access-date= 8 November 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181108224629/https://www.clarin.com/deportes/dia-goles-primera-victoria-macri_0_SyMg_YktDQx.html|archive-date= 8 November 2018|df= dmy-all}}

His first years were unsuccessful; the team's performance was poor, players frequently complained about salaries and bonuses, and Macri changed coaches three times. The only initial improvement was a partial reconstruction of the stadium. He arranged for the Boca Juniors institution to operate on the stock exchange, selling shares of active football players owned by the club.{{cite news|url= https://www.clarin.com/economia/boca-juniors-bolsa_0_H1agH5l-0tl.html|title= Boca Juniors ya está en la Bolsa|trans-title= Boca Juniors is at the stock exchange|language= es|date= 23 September 1997|newspaper= Clarín|access-date= 22 May 2019|archive-date= 3 February 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180203235827/https://www.clarin.com/economia/boca-juniors-bolsa_0_H1agH5l-0tl.html|url-status= live}} Macri's first coach was Carlos Salvador Bilardo, who brought 14 new players to the team and finished the 1996 Apertura league in 10th place.{{cite web|url= http://www.ole.com.ar/boca-juniors/futbol/Boca-trajo-jugadores-salio-mitad_0_1303669672.html|title= En el 96 Boca trajo 15 jugadores y salió en la mitad|trans-title= In the '96 Boca brought 15 players and ended in the middle|language= es|author= En el 96 Boca trajo 15 jugadores y salió en la mitad|date= 14 February 2015|publisher= Olé|access-date= 27 February 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151203133911/http://www.ole.com.ar/boca-juniors/futbol/Boca-trajo-jugadores-salio-mitad_0_1303669672.html|archive-date= 3 December 2015|df= dmy-all}} His second coach, Héctor Veira, also performed poorly.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/111397-el-mejor-arranque-de-boca|title= El mejor arranque de Boca|trans-title= The best start of Boca|language= es|first= Christian|last= Leblebidjian|date= 22 September 1998|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 27 February 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160306142257/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/111397-el-mejor-arranque-de-boca|archive-date= 6 March 2016|df= dmy-all}} New coach Carlos Bianchi helped Juan Román Riquelme improve his performance, and had Martín Palermo and Guillermo Barros Schelotto as effective forwards. They won the first two tournaments, beginning a record 40-match unbeaten run.{{cite web|url= https://tn.com.ar/deportes/esencial/cuanto-quedo-el-river-de-gallardo-del-record-invicto-del-boca-de-bianchi_902446|title= ¿A cuánto quedó el River de Gallardo del invicto del Boca de Bianchi?|trans-title= How far is River from the unbeaten's run of Bianchi's Boca?|language= es|date= 3 October 2018|publisher= TN|access-date= 7 November 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181107185531/https://tn.com.ar/deportes/esencial/cuanto-quedo-el-river-de-gallardo-del-record-invicto-del-boca-de-bianchi_902446|archive-date= 7 November 2018|df= dmy-all}}

During his tenure at the helm of Boca Juniors, the xeneize team obtained sixteen titles, which established him as the president of the institution that has obtained the most football titles, displacing Alberto J. Armando to second place, with twelve total titles.{{cite web |url= https://www.periodicodecision.com.ar/deportes/los-momentos-de-mauricio-macri-en-boca-que-marcaron-su-perfil-politico/|title= Los momentos de Mauricio Macri en Boca que marcaron su perfil político|trans-title= The moments of Mauricio Macri in Boca that left a mark in his political profile|language= Spanish|author= |date= |publisher= Decisión|accessdate=February 1, 2023}}

Macri has been trying to reform the Argentine soccer statutes for almost two decades to allow clubs to become sports limited companies.{{Cite web|url=https://argentina.as.com/argentina/2018/10/18/futbol/1539878270_799850.html|title=El fantasma de las SAD vuelve a sobrevolar el fútbol argentino|date=18 October 2018|access-date=16 August 2021|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816162253/https://argentina.as.com/argentina/2018/10/18/futbol/1539878270_799850.html|url-status=live}}

File:Mauricio Macri Foto de Prensa.jpg

In 1991, Macri was kidnapped for 12 days by officers of the Argentine Federal Police. Kept in a small room with a chemical toilet and a hole in the roof to receive food, he was freed when his family reportedly paid a multimillion-dollar ransom.

{{cite news|title=Argentina Finds a Kidnapping Ring of Policemen|newspaper=New York Times|date=8 December 1991 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/08/world/argentina-finds-a-kidnapping-ring-of-policemen.html|access-date=2 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125075923/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/08/world/argentina-finds-a-kidnapping-ring-of-policemen.html|archive-date=25 November 2015|last1=Nash |first1=Nathaniel C. }}

Macri has said that the ordeal led him to enter politics.{{cite web|author=Adrian Collins|date=23 November 2015|title=Kidnapped by police and the former chief executive of a football club: who is Argentina's new president?|url=https://www.newstalk.com/Kidnapped-former-football-club-who-is-Argentinas-new-president|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107224905/https://www.newstalk.com/Kidnapped-former-football-club-who-is-Argentinas-new-president|archive-date=7 November 2018|access-date=7 November 2018|publisher=News Talk|df=dmy-all}}

Macri entered politics in 2003, founding the centre-right party Commitment to Change ({{langx|es|Compromiso para el Cambio}}).{{cite news|url= https://www.ft.com/content/62219644-5807-11e6-9f70-badea1b336d4|title= Interview: Argentine president Mauricio Macri looks to end confrontational politics|author= Benedict Mander|date= 9 September 2016|newspaper= Financial Times|access-date= 6 November 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181106210727/https://www.ft.com/content/62219644-5807-11e6-9f70-badea1b336d4|archive-date= 6 November 2018|df= dmy-all}} The party was intended to be a source of new politicians, since the major parties were discredited after the December 2001 riots.{{cite news|url= https://www.clarin.com/opinion/pro-cambiemos-macri-presidente-partidos-politicos_0_BkTdleFvXg.html|title= Macri y el PRO en el poder: una suma de novedades históricas|trans-title= Macri and the PRO in power: a sum of historical novelties|language= es|author= Fabián Bosoer|date= 23 November 2015|newspaper= Clarín|access-date= 6 November 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181106210747/https://www.clarin.com/opinion/pro-cambiemos-macri-presidente-partidos-politicos_0_BkTdleFvXg.html|archive-date= 6 November 2018|df= dmy-all}} Later that year, Macri ran for mayor of Buenos Aires, alongside Horacio Rodríguez Larreta. Although he won the first round of the election with 37 percent of the vote,{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/522038-macri-le-gana-a-ibarra-y-hay-ballottage|title= Macri le gana a Ibarra y hay ballottage|trans-title= Macri defeats Ibarra and there is ballotage|language= es|date= 25 August 2003|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 6 December 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220093249/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/522038-macri-le-gana-a-ibarra-y-hay-ballottage|archive-date= 20 December 2016|df= dmy-all}} he lost the runoff election with 46 percent of the vote going to sitting mayor Aníbal Ibarra, who was re-elected.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1393937-macri-establecion-una-nueva-marca-en-la-ciudad|title= Macri estableció un nuevo récord en la ciudad|trans-title= Macri set a new score in the city|language= es|date= 1 August 2011|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 6 December 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171018050636/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1393937-macri-establecion-una-nueva-marca-en-la-ciudad|archive-date= 18 October 2017|df= dmy-all}} In 2005, Macri joined Ricardo López Murphy of Recrear in a political coalition, the Republican Proposal (PRO), and was elected to the Chamber of Deputies with 33.9 percent of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.terra.com.ar/canales/elecciones2005/124/124688.html|title=Macri's profile|publisher=Terra.com.ar|access-date=31 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527135556/http://www.terra.com.ar/canales/elecciones2005/124/124688.html|archive-date=27 May 2012}} His campaigns were managed by Jaime Durán Barba.{{Cite web|title=El gurú de Macri y De Narváez reparte consejos a los políticos|url=https://www.clarin.com/ediciones-anteriores/guru-macri-narvaez-reparte-consejos-politicos_0_BkOFhKATYg.html|website=clarin|date=25 May 2009|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018051555/https://www.clarin.com/ediciones-anteriores/guru-macri-narvaez-reparte-consejos-politicos_0_BkOFhKATYg.html|archive-date=18 October 2017}} According to a 2007 report, Macri had participated in only 44 of 321 votings; he countered that he had become disappointed with Congress, since bills sent by the president were not open to debate or amendment.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/885633-polemica-por-una-lista-de-ausencias-en-diputados|title= Polémica por una lista de ausencias en Diputados|trans-title= Controversy over a list of absences in the chamber of deputies|language= es|first= Laura|last= Serra|date= 22 February 2007|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 7 December 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220093119/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/885633-polemica-por-una-lista-de-ausencias-en-diputados|archive-date= 20 December 2016|df= dmy-all}} Ibarra was impeached and removed from office in 2006 as a result of the República Cromañón nightclub fire, and his term was completed by vice-chief of government Jorge Telerman.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/786946-la-legislatura-destituyo-a-ibarra|title= La Legislatura destituyó a Ibarra|trans-title= The legislature removed Ibarra|language= es|first= Angeles|last= Castro|date= 8 March 2006|newspaper= La Nacion|access-date= 7 December 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220093117/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/786946-la-legislatura-destituyo-a-ibarra|archive-date= 20 December 2016|df= dmy-all}}

During 2006, Macri worked both on his political activities as deputy and with his presidency of Boca Juniors. Before the 2007 general elections, he negotiated with the likely presidential candidate Jorge Sobisch, the governor of Neuquén Province, to create a national right-wing political coalition.{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/687829-alianza-de-macri-y-sobisch-para-2007|title= Alianza de Macri y Sobisch para 2007|trans-title= Alliance of Macri and Sobisch for 2007|language= es|author= Oliver Galak|date= 16 March 2005|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 7 November 2018|archive-date= 7 November 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095223/https://trends.revcontent.com/api/delivery/?is_blocked=undefined&w=227081&width=0&rev_allow_cookies=1&site_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lanacion.com.ar%2Fpolitica%2Falianza-de-macri-y-sobisch-para-2007-nid687829%2F&icr_url=&va=0&user_uuid=undefined&time=1636278742316&banner_item_count=2&banner_size=300x600&up=pc&bn=chrome&bv=89&widget_width=0&style_id=0|url-status= live}} This conflicted with Macri's alliance with Ricardo López Murphy, who also intended to run for president and had denounced Sobisch for corruption. Later that year, Sobisch's image was severely tarnished when teacher Carlos Fuentealba was killed during a union demonstration in Neuquén.{{cite web |url= https://www.letrap.com.ar/nota/2022-7-4-18-41-0-macri-se-mete-en-la-interna-de-neuquen-y-apuntala-a-sobisch-como-candidato|title= Macri se mete en la interna de Neuquén y apuntala a Sobisch como candidato|trans-title= Macri meddles into the Neuquen primaries and support Sobisch as candidate|language= Spanish|author= Ariel Bofelli|date= July 4, 2022|publisher= Letra P|accessdate=February 1, 2023}}

File:Cristina-Macri-Scioli Adjudicacion del Sarmiento.jpg (left) and Buenos Aires Governor Daniel Scioli (right) in 2008]]

He immediately backed out of his pact with Sobisch and remained neutral during the national election,{{cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/897913-macri-volvio-a-tomar-distancia-del-gobernador-jorge-sobisch|title=Macri volvió a tomar distancia del gobernador Jorge Sobisch|trans-title=Macri distanced himself again from governor Jorge Sobisch|language=es|newspaper=La Nacion|access-date=31 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912140138/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/897913-macri-volvio-a-tomar-distancia-del-gobernador-jorge-sobisch|archive-date=12 September 2014}} which was won by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of the Front for Victory (FPV).{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/oct/29/argentina.rorycarroll|title=Argentina elects first woman president|first=Fred|last=Attewill|date=29 October 2007|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=1 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714130410/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/oct/29/argentina.rorycarroll|archive-date=14 July 2014}}

In February 2007, Macri announced that he would run again for mayor of Buenos Aires, heading the PRO slate with Gabriela Michetti. In the 2 June 2007 first round, he received 45.6 percent of the vote and defeated government-backed Daniel Filmus (who received 23.8 percent of the vote); incumbent Jorge Telerman finished third. In the 24 June runoff election, Macri defeated Filmus with 60.96 percent of the vote.BBC News, 25 June 2007. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6222126.stm Profile: Mauricio Macri] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701013052/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6222126.stm |date=1 July 2007 }}.

For the 2009 midterm elections, he allied with Francisco de Narváez and Felipe Solá. The alliance was successful; De Narvaez defeated former president Néstor Kirchner in Buenos Aires Province and Gabriela Michetti won the city election. With this defeat, the Kirchners lost their majority in both chambers of the Congress. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, whose public image was good after the death and state funeral of Néstor Kirchner in late 2010, ran for re-election. Macri, who was considered a likely candidate for the opposition, ran for re-election as mayor instead. He won the first round on 10 July 2011 with 47.08 percent of the vote against Filmus's 27.78 percent, and then the 31 July runoff against Filmus with 64.25 percent of the vote.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1393937-macri-establecio-un-nuevo-record-en-la-ciudad%7CMacri|title= Macri estableció un nuevo récord en la ciudad|trans-title= Macri set a new high score in the city|language= es|date= 1 August 2011|newspaper= La Naciòn|access-date= 7 January 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170109030918/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1393937-macri-establecio-un-nuevo-record-en-la-ciudad%7CMacri|archive-date= 9 January 2017|df= dmy-all}}

File:Mauricio Macri visitó los talleres-cochera de la Linea A de Subtes (8359495338).jpg train on Line A of the Buenos Aires Underground, January 2013]]

Macri's administration worked on public transport in an attempt to reduce auto traffic in Buenos Aires. One project was the Metrobus, a bus rapid transit system added to the city's main streets. By the end of Macri's term as mayor, the {{convert|50.5|km|mi|adj=on}} system had five lines and 113 stations.{{cite news|last1=Barrett|first1=Chris|title=For Argentine Environmentalists, New President Macri Elicits Hope — and Skepticism|url=http://latindispatch.com/2015/12/10/for-argentine-environmentalists-new-president-macri-elicits-hope-and-skepticism/|access-date=11 December 2015|work=Latin America News Dispatch|date=10 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222094500/http://latindispatch.com/2015/12/10/for-argentine-environmentalists-new-president-macri-elicits-hope-and-skepticism/|archive-date=22 December 2015}}

Other streets have bikeways to promote cycling, and the city created its EcoBici bicycle-sharing scheme. By the end of Macri's administration, about {{convert|155|km|mi|abbr=on}} of bicycle lanes were constructed and 49 of the planned 200 automated bicycle-sharing stations were built.{{cite web|title=Ecobici|url=http://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/ecobici|publisher=Buenos Aires Ciudad|access-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219220645/http://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/ecobici|archive-date=19 December 2015}}

Several level crossings on the city's commuter-rail network were replaced by tunnels to improve road and rail traffic flow.{{cite news|last1=Tomino|first1=Pablo|title=Harán otros seis pasos bajo nivel en la ciudad, que serán estrenados en 2015|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1678988-haran-otros-seis-pasos-bajo-nivel-en-la-ciudad-que-seran-estrenados-en-2015|access-date=11 December 2015|work=La Nacion|date=8 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222092838/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1678988-haran-otros-seis-pasos-bajo-nivel-en-la-ciudad-que-seran-estrenados-en-2015|archive-date=22 December 2015}} Under Macri, the city committed to two large rail-infrastructure projects: running viaducts through the center of the city to extend the Belgrano Sur Line, and raising the San Martín Line to eliminate level crossings.{{cite news|last1=Castro|first1=Ángeles|title=Eliminarán 20 pasos a nivel de las líneas San Martín y Belgrano Sur|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1753016-eliminaran-20-pasos-a-nivel-de-las-lineas-san-martin-y-belgrano-sur|access-date=11 December 2015|work=La Nacion|date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223051825/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1753016-eliminaran-20-pasos-a-nivel-de-las-lineas-san-martin-y-belgrano-sur|archive-date=23 December 2015}}

File:GCBA - Inaguración AU Illia (05).jpg during the inauguration of Autopista Illia in 2014]]

Macri proposed the Red de Expresos Regionales project to link the city's main railway terminals and lines with a series of tunnels; as of 2018, in the term of his successor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, the project is still in the planning stages.{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2116466-red-de-expresos-regionales-rer-como-es-la-obra-que-hoy-presenta-horacio-rodriguez-larreta|title= Red de Expresos Regionales (RER): cómo es la obra que presentó el Gobierno|trans-title= Red de Expresos Regionales (RER): this is the project presented by the government|language= es|date= 13 March 2018|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 8 November 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180313224730/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2116466-red-de-expresos-regionales-rer-como-es-la-obra-que-hoy-presenta-horacio-rodriguez-larreta|archive-date= 13 March 2018|df= dmy-all}}

The Buenos Aires Underground, initially maintained by the national government, was the subject of a year-long dispute between him and the Fernández de Kirchner government. The national government sought to transfer it to the city, which Macri supported, but the budget and length of the transition period were contested. He announced that the city would take over the underground on 13 November 2012.{{cite web|url= http://tn.com.ar/politica/traspaso-del-subte-un-ano-de-idas-y-venidas_286891|title= Traspaso del subte: un año de idas y vueltas|trans-title= Transfer of the underground: a year of comes and goes|language= es|date= 13 November 2012|publisher= TN|access-date= 25 January 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170202071317/http://tn.com.ar/politica/traspaso-del-subte-un-ano-de-idas-y-venidas_286891|archive-date= 2 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

Line A, which was using wooden cars almost a century old, received a fleet of modern cars from the national government; Line H also received new cars.{{cite news|title=Preadjudican 105 coches a CNR para la línea A|url=http://enelsubte.com/noticias/preadjudican-105-coches-cnr-la-linea-2641/|access-date=24 November 2015|work=EnElSubte|date=13 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117031003/http://enelsubte.com/noticias/preadjudican-105-coches-cnr-la-linea-2641/|archive-date=17 November 2015}}{{cite news|title=Línea H: abrirán dos estaciones más antes de fin de año|url=https://www.perfil.com/noticias/sociedad/Linea-H-abriran-dos-estaciones-mas-antes-de-fin-de-ano-20151003-0032.phtml|access-date=11 December 2015|work=Perfil|date=3 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915122824/http://www.perfil.com/noticias/sociedad/Linea-H-abriran-dos-estaciones-mas-antes-de-fin-de-ano-20151003-0032.phtml|archive-date=15 September 2018}} Madrid Metro rolling-stock purchases for Line B were criticised, despite their technical superiority, for having a limited compatibility with the line and costing more than new trains for the city's commuter-rail network.{{cite news|title=Bochorno: los trenes usados de la B ya costaron más que comprar 0 km|url=http://enelsubte.com/noticias/bochorno-los-trenes-usados-de-la-b-ya-costaron-mas-que-comprar-0-km/|access-date=11 December 2015|work=EnElSubte|date=30 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101161019/http://enelsubte.com/noticias/bochorno-los-trenes-usados-de-la-b-ya-costaron-mas-que-comprar-0-km/|archive-date=1 January 2016}}

File:Macri cadetes de la PM de la CABA.jpg graduates]]

Buenos Aires, initially a federal district with limited autonomy, had become an autonomous city with the 1994 amendment of the Constitution of Argentina. The Argentine Federal Police, under national-government jurisdiction, still worked in the city and disputes over a potential transfer to a local force were unresolved when Macri was elected. He unsuccessfully tried to negotiate a transfer with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. As an alternative, in 2008 Macri proposed a bill for the creation of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Police to work with federal police in the city. The bill, supported by the PRO and the Kirchnerite blocs, was rejected by Civic Coalition blocs and those aligned with Ibarra. Elisa Carrió, leader of the Civic Coalition, thought that Macri had abandoned the transfer request, and Ibarra said that the forces' duties would overlap.{{cite news|url= https://www.clarin.com/ediciones-anteriores/crearon-policia-metropolitana-calle-fines-2009_0_SyEG5qiApFx.html|title= Crearon la Policía Metropolitana y estaría en la calle a fines de 2009|trans-title= The new metropolitan police was created, and it will be in the streets by the ending of 2009|language= es|first= Daniel|last= Gutman|date= 29 October 2008|newspaper= Clarín|access-date= 25 January 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171018051605/https://www.clarin.com/ediciones-anteriores/crearon-policia-metropolitana-calle-fines-2009_0_SyEG5qiApFx.html|archive-date= 18 October 2017|df= dmy-all}} The Metropolitan Police began with nearly 1,000 officers; the Federal Police had 17,000 officers working in the city. As a result, the metropolitan police worked on a small scale during the transition and more complex tasks were reserved for the federal police.{{cite news|url= https://www.clarin.com/ediciones-anteriores/nueva-policia-podra-efectuar-desalojos-controlar-marchas_0_By2PqiR6Kx.html|title= La nueva Policía podrá efectuar desalojos y controlar marchas|trans-title= The new police will be able to control house usurpations and street protests|language= es|first= Daniel|last= Gutman|date= 30 October 2008|newspaper= Clarín|access-date= 25 January 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171018052231/https://www.clarin.com/ediciones-anteriores/nueva-policia-podra-efectuar-desalojos-controlar-marchas_0_By2PqiR6Kx.html|archive-date= 18 October 2017|df= dmy-all}}

Jorge Alberto Palacios was the first chief of the Metropolitan Police. A member of the police unit which rescued Macri from his kidnappers, Palacios was fired by then-President Néstor Kirchner for his alleged involvement in the murder of Axel Blumberg (for which he was acquitted). His appointment was controversial; Palacios had been investigated for concealing evidence of the 1994 AMIA bombing,{{cite web|url= http://www.jta.org/2009/07/08/news-opinion/world/new-top-cop-in-buenos-aires-in-amia-probe|title= New top cop in Buenos Aires in AMIA probe|first= Florencia|last= Arbiser|date= 8 July 2009|publisher= Jewish Telegraphic Agency|access-date= 25 January 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170202062321/http://www.jta.org/2009/07/08/news-opinion/world/new-top-cop-in-buenos-aires-in-amia-probe|archive-date= 2 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} and he resigned a short time later.{{cite news|url= http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3767660,00.html|title= Investigator of Argentinean Jewish center attack resigns|newspaper= Ynetnews|date= 26 August 2009|publisher= Ynet|access-date= 25 January 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170202093610/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3767660,00.html|archive-date= 2 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} The transfer of police protection to the city was completed during the Larreta administration.{{cite web|url= http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/222564/larreta-to-announce-new-city-police|title= Larreta to announce new City police|date= 5 October 2016|publisher= Buenos Aires Herald|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170224215615/http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/222564/larreta-to-announce-new-city-police|archive-date= 24 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

File:Mauricio Macri asistió a la misa anual por la educación (7091688691).jpg)]]

A gay couple, José María Di Bello and Alex Freyre, started a judicial case so that they could get married in Buenos Aires. They challenged articles 172 and 188 of the civil code, which restrict marriage to people of different genders, as unconstitutional. Judge Gabriela Seijas agreed, and the couple married in 2009. It was the first same-sex marriage in Argentina. Macri did not appeal the ruling, saying that same-sex marriage was becoming universally accepted and individuals had a right to happiness. He compared the controversy with the sanctioning of divorce during the 1980s after the restoration of democracy in Argentina; highly controversial at first, it was eventually accepted.{{cite news|url= https://www.clarin.com/ediciones-anteriores/macri-dio-fuerte-respaldo-matrimonio-homosexuales_0_HJNgYfdC6Kx.html|title= Macri dio un fuerte respaldo al matrimonio entre homosexuales|trans-title= Macri gave a strong support to same-sex marriage|language= es|first= Mariana|last= Iglesias|date= 14 November 2009|newspaper= Clarín|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171018053154/https://www.clarin.com/ediciones-anteriores/macri-dio-fuerte-respaldo-matrimonio-homosexuales_0_HJNgYfdC6Kx.html|archive-date= 18 October 2017|df= dmy-all}} A federal law permitting same-sex marriage was passed the following year.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/16/world/americas/16argentina.html|title= Argentina Approves Gay Marriage, in a First for Region|first= Alexei|last= Barrionuevo|date= 15 July 2010|newspaper= The New York Times|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120617095922/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/16/world/americas/16argentina.html?_r=1|archive-date= 17 June 2012|df= dmy-all}}

Macri's refusal to appeal the sentence affected his relationship with Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio (who later became Pope Francis). Bergoglio opposed same-sex marriage, and expected Macri to appeal the ruling. According to the archbishop, a lower-court judge should not establish the constitutionality of a law and Macri should have appealed the ruling in a higher court. Bergoglio was also annoyed by what he considered a lack of communication between himself and Macri.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1203956-tensa-reunion-entre-bergoglio-y-macri-por-el-matrimonio-gay|title= Tensa reunión entre Bergoglio y Macri por el matrimonio gay|trans-title= Tense meeting between Bergoglio and Macri over same-sex marriage|language= es|first= Ángeles|last= Castro|date= 25 November 2009|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171018053433/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1203956-tensa-reunion-entre-bergoglio-y-macri-por-el-matrimonio-gay|archive-date= 18 October 2017|df= dmy-all}}

{{Main|2015 Argentine general election}}

{{Further|Presidential debates in Argentina|Ballotage in Argentina}}

File:Macri-Presidente.png

Macri ran for president of Argentina in 2015. With President Cristina Kirchner unable to run, early opinion polls indicated a close three-way race between Macri, Kirchnerite governor Daniel Scioli and Tigre mayor Sergio Massa.{{cite web|url= http://www.lapoliticaonline.com/nota/85201/|title= Las últimas encuestas confirman que sigue el triple empate entre Massa y Macri y Scioli|trans-title= The last polls confirm the triple draw between Massa, Macri and Scioli|language= es|date= 22 November 2014|publisher= La Política Online|access-date= 1 September 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150807202333/http://www.lapoliticaonline.com/nota/85201/|archive-date= 7 August 2015|df= dmy-all}} Other minor parties, such as the Radical Civic Union (UCR), the Civic Coalition (CC) and some socialist parties, made a political coalition, the Broad Front UNEN. This coalition disbanded before the elections, and the UCR and CC made a coalition with the PRO, named Cambiemos ({{langx|en|Let's change}}). Macri supported Horacio Rodríguez Larreta against Gabriela Michetti in the PRO primary elections for mayor of Buenos Aires. Larreta won the primary and general elections, and Michetti was selected as Macri's vice-presidential candidate. María Eugenia Vidal, Macri's deputy mayor, ran on the Cambiemos ticket for governor of Buenos Aires Province, a populous province which was strategic to the elections. Macri and Massa negotiated a coalition against Kirchnerism, which would have seen Massa withdraw from the presidential race to run for governor of Buenos Aires on the Cambiemos ticket. Macri declined this proposal, kept Vidal as the party's candidate for governor, and Massa ran for president with his own party.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1847774-macri-el-gladiador-del-cambio-que-suena-con-vencer-al-kirchnerismo|title=Macri: el gladiador del cambio que sueña con vencer al kirchnerismo|trans-title=Macri: the gladiator of change who dreams of defeating kirchnerism|language=es|first=Jaime|last=Rosemberg|date=22 November 2015|work=La Nación|access-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122215552/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1847774-macri-el-gladiador-del-cambio-que-suena-con-vencer-al-kirchnerismo|archive-date=22 November 2015}}

Macri, Carrió and Ernesto Sanz ran in the primary elections, which Macri won.{{cite web|url=http://www.resultados.gob.ar/web/dat99/DPR99999A.htm |title=Total nacional |language=es |publisher=Elecciones argentinas |access-date=1 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831055814/http://www.resultados.gob.ar/web/dat99/DPR99999A.htm |archive-date=31 August 2015 }} Pre-election polls indicated that Scioli would win by a wide margin, possibly avoiding a ballotage. The final results showed Scioli finishing first with 37.08 percent, just ahead of Macri's 34.15 percent, leading to a ballotage round on 22 November. Massa finished third with 21 percent of the vote, and the other two candidates contended for his voters. Scioli and Macri were polarized about the presidency of Cristina Kirchner; Scioli wanted to keep most Kirchnerite policies, and Macri wanted to change them. In the legislative elections, the Front for Victory (FPV) lost its majority in the Chamber of Deputies but kept it in the Senate.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/26/argentinas-presidential-election-headed-for-second-round-after-no-clear-winner|title= Argentina's presidential election headed for second round after no clear winner|author= Jonathan Watts and Uki Goñi|date= 26 October 2015|newspaper= The Guardian|access-date= 26 October 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151026231705/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/26/argentinas-presidential-election-headed-for-second-round-after-no-clear-winner|archive-date= 26 October 2015|df= dmy-all}}

File:Rodríguez Machado y Macri de campaña en Córdoba.jpg, in August 2015]]

Scioli did not participate in the first presidential debate, which was held with the other five candidates. When the ballotage was confirmed, Macri agreed to a debate with Scioli.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1840173-argentina-debate-acelera-la-organizacion-del-debate-scioli-macri-no-tenemos-mucho-tiempo|title= Argentina Debate acelera la organización del debate Scioli-Macri: "No tenemos mucho tiempo"|trans-title= Argentina debate speeds up the organization of the Scioli-Macri debate: "We don't have enough time"|language= es|date= 27 October 2015|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 27 October 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151029221313/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1840173-argentina-debate-acelera-la-organizacion-del-debate-scioli-macri-no-tenemos-mucho-tiempo|archive-date= 29 October 2015|df= dmy-all}} Two debates were planned: one by the Argentina Debate NGO and another by TV news channel Todo Noticias (TN). Macri preferred a single debate, and opted for the one organized by Argentina Debate.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1840725-mauricio-macri-se-bajo-del-debate-organizado-por-el-canal-tn|title= Mauricio Macri se bajó del debate organizado por el canal TN|trans-title= Mauricio Macri stepped down from the debate organized by the channel TN|language= es|date= 28 October 2015|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 29 October 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151030000540/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1840725-mauricio-macri-se-bajo-del-debate-organizado-por-el-canal-tn|archive-date= 30 October 2015|df= dmy-all}}

He criticized Scioli for negative campaigning by the FPV.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1841866-macri-hablo-de-una-estrategia-oscura-pero-se-centrara-en-sus-propuestas-de-gestion|title= Macri habló de una "estrategia oscura", pero se centrará en sus propuestas de gestión|trans-title= Macri talked about a "dark strategy", but will focus on his proposals|language= es|first= Jaime|last= Rosemberg|date= 2 November 2015|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 29 October 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151105063203/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1841866-macri-hablo-de-una-estrategia-oscura-pero-se-centrara-en-sus-propuestas-de-gestion|archive-date= 5 November 2015|df= dmy-all}} Several politicians and FPV institutions had issued warnings about what might happen if Macri were elected president.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1842152-extienden-a-todas-las-areas-del-estado-la-campana-contra-macri-columnista-3x1-28-ropube-demin|title= Extienden a todas las áreas del Estado la campaña contra Macri|trans-title= They expand to all state areas the campaign against Macri|language= es|first= Francisco|last= Olivera|date= 3 November 2015|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 3 November 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151103072452/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1842152-extienden-a-todas-las-areas-del-estado-la-campana-contra-macri-columnista-3x1-28-ropube-demin|archive-date= 3 November 2015|df= dmy-all}} According to Scioli, the campaign was intended to encourage public awareness.{{cite news|url= http://www.clarin.com/politica/agravios-intmididaciones-campana_sucia-balotaje_0_1460853908.html|title= Con agravios e intimidaciones, comenzó una campaña sucia hacia el balotaje|trans-title= The dirty campaign towards the ballotage started with defamations and threats|language= es|first= Alejandro|last= Alfie|date= 3 November 2015|newspaper= Clarín|access-date= 3 November 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151103074514/http://www.clarin.com/politica/agravios-intmididaciones-campana_sucia-balotaje_0_1460853908.html|archive-date= 3 November 2015|df= dmy-all}} It was rumored that the campaign might have been suggested by Brazilian political consultant João Santana, who had organized a similar campaign in Brazil during the ballotage of Dilma Rousseff and Aécio Neves in the 2014 Brazilian general election.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1841865-santana-el-experto-en-el-centro-de-los-rumores|title= Santana, el experto en el centro de los rumores|trans-title= Santana, the expert in the middle of rumors|language= es|date= 2 November 2015|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 3 November 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151105072851/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1841865-santana-el-experto-en-el-centro-de-los-rumores|archive-date= 5 November 2015|df= dmy-all}}

The ballotage was held on 22 November. Scioli conceded with 70 percent of the votes counted and provisional results of 53 and 47 percent.{{cite web|url= https://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/22/americas/argentina-elections/index.html|title= Argentina elections: Daniel Scioli concedes defeat|author= Catherine E. Shoichet|date= 22 November 2015|publisher= CNN|access-date= 21 November 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151123005647/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/22/americas/argentina-elections/index.html|archive-date= 23 November 2015|url-status= live|df= dmy-all}} The gap between the candidates slowly narrowed over the next few hours, giving Macri a smaller margin of victory than most exit polls suggested.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/22/argentina-election-exit-polls-buenos-aires-mauricio-macri|title= Argentina shifts to the right after Mauricio Macri wins presidential runoff|author= Jonathan Watts and Uki Goñi|date= 22 November 2015|newspaper= The Guardian|access-date= 21 November 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151123083643/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/22/argentina-election-exit-polls-buenos-aires-mauricio-macri|archive-date= 23 November 2015|df= dmy-all}} His election ended a dozen years of Kirchnerism in Argentina.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/22/argentina-election-second-round-vote-could-spell-end-for-kirchnerism|title= Argentina election: second round vote could spell end for 'Kirchnerism'|author= Jonathan Watts and Uki Goñi|date= 22 November 2015|newspaper= The Guardian|access-date= 21 November 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151122230832/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/22/argentina-election-second-round-vote-could-spell-end-for-kirchnerism|archive-date= 22 November 2015|df= dmy-all}}

For The Economist, this was the "end of populism." Macri's victory could transform his country and the region.{{Cite news|title=The end of populism|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2015/11/26/the-end-of-populism|date=26 November 2015|access-date=16 August 2021|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816141000/https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2015/11/26/the-end-of-populism|url-status=live}}

Macri owed his victory to Córdoba, the second-largest province, swinging dramatically to support him; he carried the province by over 930,000 votes in the second round, far exceeding his nationwide margin of 680,600 votes. Buenos Aires also swung hard to Macri, giving its mayor over 64 percent of the vote in the second round.{{Cite news|url = https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/elecciones-2015-paliza-en-cordoba-macri-gana-con-mas-del-70-de-los-votos-nid1847253/|title = Elecciones 2015: Los resultados del ballottage en Córdoba - LA NACION|newspaper = La Nación|access-date = 16 August 2021|archive-date = 16 August 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210816140958/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/elecciones-2015-paliza-en-cordoba-macri-gana-con-mas-del-70-de-los-votos-nid1847253/|url-status = live}}

{{Main|2019 Argentine general election}}

On 11 August 2019, Macri scored the primary election which gave him renomination as his party's candidate in the 2019 general election.{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/world/americas/argentina-election-macri-kirchner.html|title = Argentina's Macri Trounced in Primary by Voters Angry over Economy|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 12 August 2019|last1 = Politi|first1 = Daniel|access-date = 13 August 2019|archive-date = 13 August 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190813134619/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/world/americas/argentina-election-macri-kirchner.html|url-status = live}} He was renominated, but scored only 32%, compared to 47% to populist Peronist Alberto Fernández and his running mate, two-term former president Cristina Kirchner, in their primary for Frente de Todos.{{Cite news|url = https://www.npr.org/2019/08/13/750707125/markets-in-argentina-plunge-after-poor-primary-showing-for-incumbent-president|title = Markets in Argentina Plunge After Poor Primary Showing for Incumbent President|newspaper = NPR|date = 13 August 2019|last1 = Neuman|first1 = Scott|access-date = 13 August 2019|archive-date = 13 August 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190813134055/https://www.npr.org/2019/08/13/750707125/markets-in-argentina-plunge-after-poor-primary-showing-for-incumbent-president|url-status = live}}

In the 27 October general election, Fernández won the presidency by attaining 48.1% of the vote to Macri's 40.4%, exceeding the threshold required to win without the need for a ballotage.{{cite news |last=Goñi |first=Uki |work=The Guardian |title=Argentina election: Macri out as Cristina Fernández de Kirchner returns to office as VP |date=28 October 2019 |access-date=26 November 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/28/argentina-election-macri-out-as-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchner-returns-to-office-as-vp |archive-date=1 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201104708/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/28/argentina-election-macri-out-as-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchner-returns-to-office-as-vp |url-status=live }}

Alberto Fernández emerged from an electrifying election night as Argentina's next president, without the need for a ballottage, despite Mauricio Macri's surprising rebound from the primaries.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/elecciones-generales-argentina-2019-nid2301132/|title=Fernández ganó en primera vuelta y ya negocia con Macri la transición - LA NACION|newspaper=La Nación|access-date=16 August 2021|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816141731/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/elecciones-generales-argentina-2019-nid2301132/|url-status=live}}

{{main|Presidency of Mauricio Macri}}

{{Infobox President styles

|image=75px

|name=Mauricio Macri

|dipstyle= {{lang|es|Excelentísimo Señor Presidente de la Nación}} (Most Excellent President of the Nation)

|offstyle= {{lang|es|Presidente de la Nación}} (President of the Nation)

|altstyle= {{lang|es|Señor Presidente}} (Mister President)

}}

{{main|Inauguration of Mauricio Macri}}

Macri announced his cabinet on 25 November 2015, about two weeks before he was due to take office.{{Cite news|title = Marcos Peña anunció el Gabinete de Mauricio Macri: Prat Gay va a Hacienda y Patricia Bullrich a Seguridad|url = http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1848801-marcos-pena-anuncia-el-gabinete-de-mauricio-macri|newspaper = La Nación|access-date = 27 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160106155946/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1848801-marcos-pena-anuncia-el-gabinete-de-mauricio-macri|archive-date = 6 January 2016|df = dmy-all}}{{Cite web|title = Mauricio Macri anuncia su gabinete para su gobierno en Argentina|url = http://www.latercera.com/noticia/mundo/2015/11/678-657509-9-mauricio-macri-anuncia-su-gabinete-para-su-gobierno-en-argentina.shtml|website = www.latercera.com|access-date = 27 January 2016|first = Grupo|last = Copesa|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151126014659/http://www.latercera.com/noticia/mundo/2015/11/678-657509-9-mauricio-macri-anuncia-su-gabinete-para-su-gobierno-en-argentina.shtml|archive-date = 26 November 2015|df = dmy-all}}{{Cite web|title = Mauricio Macri Announces Future Cabinet|url = http://www.argentinaindependent.com/currentaffairs/newsfromargentina/mauricio-macri-announces-future-cabinet|website = The Argentina Independent|access-date = 18 March 2016|first = Azzura|last = Lalani|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160405162548/http://www.argentinaindependent.com/currentaffairs/newsfromargentina/mauricio-macri-announces-future-cabinet/|archive-date = 5 April 2016|df = dmy-all}} The presidential transition was difficult. Macri and Kirchner met briefly; she provided no help to the new administration, and spoke only about the inauguration ceremony.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1848591-mauricio-macri-despues-de-la-reunion-con-cristina-kirchner-no-valio-la-pena|title= Mauricio Macri, después de la reunión con Cristina Kirchner: "No valió la pena"|trans-title= Mauricio Macri, after the meeting with Cristina Kirchner: "It was not worth it"|language= es|date= 24 November 2015|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 3 December 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151130024859/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1848591-mauricio-macri-despues-de-la-reunion-con-cristina-kirchner-no-valio-la-pena|archive-date= 30 November 2015|df= dmy-all}} They disagreed about its location; Kirchner wanted it to take place at the Palace of the Argentine National Congress, and Macri favoured the White Hall of the Casa Rosada.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1850618-crece-el-conflicto-por-el-lugar-de-la-transmision-del-mando|title= Crece el conflicto por el lugar de la transmisión del mando|trans-title= Conflict grows over where to hold the government handover|language= es|first= Mariano|last= Obarrio|date= 2 December 2015|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 17 February 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160301214159/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1850618-crece-el-conflicto-por-el-lugar-de-la-transmision-del-mando|archive-date= 1 March 2016|df= dmy-all}}{{cite web|url= http://www.perfil.com/politica/Congreso-o-Casa-Rosada--Donde-debe-realizarse-el-traspaso-de-mando-20151206-0092.html|title= ¿Congreso o Casa Rosada? Dónde debe realizarse el traspaso de mando|trans-title= Congress or Casa Rosada: Where should the government handover be held?|language= es|date= 6 December 2015|publisher= Perfil|access-date= 17 February 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151210225457/http://www.perfil.com/politica/Congreso-o-Casa-Rosada--Donde-debe-realizarse-el-traspaso-de-mando-20151206-0092.html|archive-date= 10 December 2015|df= dmy-all}} Plans for violence against Macri supporters near the Plaza during the inauguration were rumoured, and it was unclear who would control the police during the ceremony.{{cite news|work=Infobae|date=6 December 2015|access-date=28 February 2016|url=http://www.infobae.com/2015/12/06/1774670-el-entramado-detras-la-entrega-la-banda-y-el-baston-presidencial|first=Fabián|last=Doman|title=El entramado detrás de la entrega de la banda y el bastón presidencial|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306052213/http://www.infobae.com/2015/12/06/1774670-el-entramado-detras-la-entrega-la-banda-y-el-baston-presidencial|archive-date=6 March 2016}} Judge María Servini de Cubría ruled that Kirchner's term of office ended at midnight on the morning of 10 December, and provisional Senate president Federico Pinedo was in charge of the executive branch for the 12 hours between the end of Kirchner's term and Macri's swearing-in.{{cite web|url= http://www.perfil.com/politica/Federico-Pinedo-paso-a-la-historia-como-el-presidente-de-12-horas--20151211-0022.html|title= Federico Pinedo pasó a la historia como el presidente de 12 horas|trans-title= Federico Pinedo passed to history as the 12-hours president|language= es|first= Alberto|last= Amato|date= 11 December 2015|publisher= Perfil|access-date= 20 January 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160313204906/http://www.perfil.com/politica/Federico-Pinedo-paso-a-la-historia-como-el-presidente-de-12-horas--20151211-0022.html|archive-date= 13 March 2016|df= dmy-all}} Kirchner left Buenos Aires that day to attend the inauguration of sister-in-law Alicia Kirchner as governor of Santa Cruz Province.{{cite web|url= http://www.perfil.com/politica/Alicia-Kirchner-asumio-en-Santa-Cruz-con-Cristina-y-Maximo-en-primera-fila--20151211-0039.html|title= Alicia Kirchner asumió en Santa Cruz con Cristina y Máximo en primera fila|trans-title= Alicia Kirchner took office in Santa Cruz with Cristina and Maximo in the first row|language= es|first= Pablo|last= Manuel|date= 11 December 2015|publisher= Perfil|access-date= 20 January 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160131173239/http://www.perfil.com/politica/Alicia-Kirchner-asumio-en-Santa-Cruz-con-Cristina-y-Maximo-en-primera-fila--20151211-0039.html|archive-date= 31 January 2016|df= dmy-all}}

Macri took office on 10 December. He took the oath of office at the National Congress of Argentina after Vice President Gabriela Michetti. Macri delivered a 27-minute speech pledging "support for an independent judiciary, to fight corruption and drug trafficking, the internal union of Argentina, universal social protection, a 21st-century style of education and for everyone to have a roof, water and sewer" and greeted his electoral rivals.{{cite news|title=Las 20 frases del discurso de Macri durante la asunción como presidente|url=http://www.clarin.com/politica/frases-discurso-Macri-asuncion-presidente_0_1483052017.html|work=Clarin|date=10 December 2015|access-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210233057/http://www.clarin.com/politica/frases-discurso-Macri-asuncion-presidente_0_1483052017.html|archive-date=10 December 2015}}

File:Macri recibe atributos del mando en Casa Rosada.jpg

He later went to the Casa Rosada and received the presidential sash in the White Hall from Senate President Federico Pinedo, accompanied by Michetti, Chamber of Deputies President Emilio Monzó and Supreme Court President Ricardo Lorenzetti. Minutes later, Macri went to the balcony and told the crowd in the Plaza de Mayo that "Argentines deserve to live better, and we are about to start a wonderful period for our country. I promise to always tell the truth and show where our problems are". He called on "all Argentines to follow [his] administration and alert them when [the government] makes mistakes".

{{cite news|title=Macri, desde el balcón de la Rosada: "Los argentinos merecíamos vivir mejor"|url=http://www.clarin.com/politica/Macri-balcon-Rosada-argentinos-mereciamos_0_1483052055.html|work=Clarin|date=10 December 2015|access-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210233456/http://www.clarin.com/politica/Macri-balcon-Rosada-argentinos-mereciamos_0_1483052055.html|archive-date=10 December 2015}}

After his swearing-in, Macri hosted a reception at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' San Martín Palace for heads of state Michelle Bachelet (Chile), Horacio Cartes (Paraguay), Juan Manuel Santos (Colombia), Rafael Correa (Ecuador), Evo Morales (Bolivia), Dilma Rousseff (Brazil) and King Juan Carlos I of Spain, and representatives of other countries who attended his inauguration.{{cite news|title=Tras asumir la presidencia, Macri se reúne con las delegaciones extranjeras en el Palacio San Martín|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1852994-tras-asumir-la-presidencia-macri-se-reune-con-las-delegaciones-extranjeras-en-el-palacio-san-martin|work=La Nacion|date=10 December 2015|access-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214145637/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1852994-tras-asumir-la-presidencia-macri-se-reune-con-las-delegaciones-extranjeras-en-el-palacio-san-martin|archive-date=14 December 2015}}

{{see also|2018 Argentine monetary crisis}}

File:Macri at the 2018 WEF 06.jpg, January 2018.]]

Macri began his presidency with economic difficulties carried over from previous governments. The Central Bank of Argentina's reserves were depleted; inflation was over 30 percent, although the widely discredited National Institute of Statistics and Census of Argentina (INDEC) provided a lower figure. The country had the highest tax rates in its history, but the government budget balance had an eight-percent deficit. There had been a sovereign default since 2001, and a conflict existed with hedge funds; tight currency controls had been in place since 2011. Since Argentina is a developing country, a global drop in commodity prices reduced trade revenue.{{cite news|url= https://www.ft.com/content/e4476904-beb6-11e5-9fdb-87b8d15baec2|title= Macri raises hopes for Argentina's economic renewal|author= Benedict Mander and Daniel Politi|date= 20 January 2016|newspaper= Financial Times|access-date= 18 February 2017|url-access= subscription|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170223044337/https://www.ft.com/content/e4476904-beb6-11e5-9fdb-87b8d15baec2|archive-date= 23 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

One of Macri's first economic policies was the removal of currency controls, allowing Argentines to freely buy and sell foreign currencies. Argentina has had a floating exchange rate since then, with intervention from the Central Bank,{{cite news|url= https://www.ft.com/content/556d51b4-a447-11e5-873f-68411a84f346|title= President Mauricio Macri lifts Argentina's capital controls|first= Daniel|last= Politi|date= 16 December 2015|newspaper= Financial Times|access-date= 17 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170218064346/https://www.ft.com/content/556d51b4-a447-11e5-873f-68411a84f346|archive-date= 18 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} and the Argentine peso was devalued by 30 percent.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/business-35114972|title= Argentina to relax foreign exchange controls|date= 17 December 2015|publisher= BBC|access-date= 17 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170218074122/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35114972|archive-date= 18 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} Another early policy was the removal of export quotas and tariffs on corn and wheat.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/argentina-grains-idUSL1N14I1KX20151229|title= Argentina's Macri scraps corn and wheat export quotas|date= 29 December 2015|work= Reuters|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170628044222/http://www.reuters.com/article/argentina-grains-idUSL1N14I1KX20151229|archive-date= 28 June 2017|df= dmy-all}} Tariffs on soybeans, the most lucrative Argentine export, were reduced from 35 to 30 percent.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/argentina-grains-idUSL2N1C9256|title= Argentina delays soy export tax cut to 2018 amid budget shortfall|date= 3 October 2016|work= Reuters|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111142/http://www.reuters.com/article/argentina-grains-idUSL2N1C9256|archive-date= 22 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

File:Argentina en Davos.jpg in Davos, in 2016. It was the return of the country to the conference after 11 years of absence.]]

Macri wanted to negotiate with holdouts and end the default to return to the international capital markets and strengthen the national economy.{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/fastft/2016/02/29/argentina-reaches-4-65bn-deal-with-holdouts/|title=Argentina reaches $4.65bn deal with holdouts|date=29 February 2016|work=Financial Times|access-date=29 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231906/http://www.ft.com/fastft/2016/02/29/argentina-reaches-4-65bn-deal-with-holdouts/|archive-date=3 March 2016}} Argentina offered to pay $6.5 billion to settle lawsuits on 5 February 2016, requesting that the prior ruling on its payments be lifted.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/business/dealbook/hedge-funds-dealt-setback-as-us-sides-with-argentina.html?ref=world | title=Hedge Funds Dealt Setback as U.S. Sides With Argentina on Defaulted Bonds | newspaper=New York Times | date=24 March 2016 | access-date=25 March 2016 | author=Stevenson, Alexandra | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326013641/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/business/dealbook/hedge-funds-dealt-setback-as-us-sides-with-argentina.html?ref=world | archive-date=26 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }} Although Cambiemos did not have a majority in either house of Congress, the bill was approved in March and Argentina faced a court hearing in New York on 13 April.{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/1c1f696c-f6fc-11e5-9afe-dd2472ea263d.html#axzz44U7q7YSm|title=Argentina clears way for repayment of 'holdout' creditors|first=Benedict|last=Mander|date=31 March 2016|work=Financial Times|access-date=31 March 2016|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095054/https://www.ft.com/content/1c1f696c-f6fc-11e5-9afe-dd2472ea263d#axzz44U7q7YSm|url-status=live}} The court upheld judge Thomas P. Griesa's ruling, allowing Argentina to pay the 2005 and 2010 bondholders to whom it was still in default.{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1888930-la-corte-de-nueva-york-confentina|title=La Corte de Nueva York confirmó la orden de Thomas Griesa para que la Argentina salga del default|trans-title=The Court of New York confirmed the order of Thomas Griesa for Argentina to leave the default|language=es|author=Rafael Mathus Ruiz|work=La Nacion|access-date=13 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027062350/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1888930-la-corte-de-nueva-york-confentina|archive-date=27 October 2016}} The payment, made with a bond sale,{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/fastft/2016/04/13/us-court-ruling-allows-argentina-bond-sale-to-proceed/|title=US court ruling allows Argentina bond sale to proceed|date=13 April 2016|newspaper= Financial Times|access-date=13 April 2016}} was reportedly the end of the Argentine default, which had begun in 2001.{{cite news|url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-13/argentina-wins-court-ruling-letting-bond-sale-proceed|title= Argentina Wins Court Ruling Letting Bond Sale Proceed|author= Bob Van Voris|date= 13 April 2016|work= Bloomberg|access-date= 13 April 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160414224837/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-13/argentina-wins-court-ruling-letting-bond-sale-proceed|archive-date= 14 April 2016|df= dmy-all}}

File:MM Clinton Global Initiative.jpg, Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi, economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and London mayor Sadiq Khan at the Clinton Global Initiative]]

On 19 January 2016, Macri attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with opposition figure Sergio Massa and part of his cabinet, in a search for investors.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-macri-davos-idUSKCN0UW1ZO|title= Argentina's Macri will attend Davos forum despite cracked rib|first= Hugh|last= Bronstein|date= 18 January 2016|work= Reuters|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170223044347/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-macri-davos-idUSKCN0UW1ZO|archive-date= 23 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} He was one of the best-known figures at the meeting, along with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and US vice president Joe Biden.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/business/dealbook/trudeau-macri-and-biden-are-among-the-big-names-at-davos.html|title= Trudeau, Macri and Biden Are Among the Big Names at Davos|author= Michael J. de la Merced|date= 19 January 2016|newspaper= The New York Times|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180210184354/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/business/dealbook/trudeau-macri-and-biden-are-among-the-big-names-at-davos.html|archive-date= 10 February 2018|df= dmy-all}} It was the first time since 2003 that Argentina had participated in the forum.{{cite web|url= http://en.mercopress.com/2016/01/07/macri-will-become-first-argentine-president-to-attend-davos-forum-in-twelve-years|title= Macri will become first Argentine president to attend Davos forum in twelve years|date= 7 January 2016|publisher= Merco Press|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170422091723/http://en.mercopress.com/2016/01/07/macri-will-become-first-argentine-president-to-attend-davos-forum-in-twelve-years|archive-date= 22 April 2017|df= dmy-all}}

During Macri's first year, economic recovery was slow. Unemployment and inflation remained high and growth did not come as expected.{{cite magazine|url= https://time.com/4540098/argentina-mauricio-macri-challenge-of-change/|title= Argentina's Mauricio Macri on the Challenge of Change|first= Ian|last= Bremmer|date= 21 October 2016|magazine= Time|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170221171413/http://time.com/4540098/argentina-mauricio-macri-challenge-of-change/|archive-date= 21 February 2017|url-status= live|df= dmy-all}} Kirchner's Careful Pricing price-control program, which benefited small and medium-sized enterprises, was kept with a revision of its included products. The government began several public-works projects to stimulate the economy and help the construction sector.{{cite web|url= https://panampost.com/raquel-garcia/2017/01/05/macri-maintains-kirchner-era-price-controls-argentina/|title= Macri Maintains Kirchner Era Price Controls in Argentina|first= Raquel|last= García|date= 5 January 2017|publisher= Panam Post|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170224131603/https://panampost.com/raquel-garcia/2017/01/05/macri-maintains-kirchner-era-price-controls-argentina/|archive-date= 24 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} Political intervention in the INDEC figures ended, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declared in November 2016 that Argentine statistics were again in accordance with international standards.{{cite web|url= https://panampost.com/raquel-garcia/2016/11/10/imf-deems-argentinas-statistics-credible-again/|title= IMF Deems Argentina's Statistics Credible Again|first= Raquel|last= García|date= 10 November 2016|publisher= Panam Post|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170224053911/https://panampost.com/raquel-garcia/2016/11/10/imf-deems-argentinas-statistics-credible-again/|archive-date= 24 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimated that Argentina would emerge from recession in 2017 or 2018, and lowered its country risk classification from seven points to six.{{cite web|url= https://panampost.com/raquel-garcia/2016/11/29/argentinas-economy-to-pull-out-of-recession-over-next-two-years/|title= Argentina's Economy to Pull Out of Recession over Next Two Years|first= Raquel|last= García|date= 29 November 2016|publisher= Panam Post|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170215055704/https://panampost.com/raquel-garcia/2016/11/29/argentinas-economy-to-pull-out-of-recession-over-next-two-years/|archive-date= 15 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

Inflation continued to be a problem, with a rate of 25% in 2017, second only to Venezuela in South America and the highest rate in the G20. On 28 December, the Central Bank of Argentina together with the Treasury announced a change of the inflation target. This was seen by the market as a relaxation of the monetary policy. They attempted to reduce it to 15%, but these efforts failed.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45350218|title= Argentina asks IMF to release $50bn loan as crisis worsens|date= 30 August 2018|publisher= BBC|access-date= 11 March 2019|archive-date= 24 November 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181124220850/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45350218|url-status= live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44001450|title= Argentina raises interest rates to 40%|date= 4 May 2018|publisher= BBC|access-date= 18 March 2019|archive-date= 3 February 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190203015820/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44001450|url-status= live}}

Between 2017 and 2018 the government cut import tariffs on capital goods and eliminated tariffs on the importation of technology products to encourage investment.{{Cite news|url = https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1947322-el-gobierno-eliminara-en-2017-el-arancel-para-importar-computadoras|title = El Gobierno eliminará en 2017 el arancel para importar computadoras - LA NACION|newspaper = La Nación|access-date = 12 April 2021|archive-date = 9 August 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170809201229/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1947322-el-gobierno-eliminara-en-2017-el-arancel-para-importar-computadoras|url-status = live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/el-gobierno-oficializo-la-eliminacion-de-aranceles-para-la-importacion-de-productos-electronicos-nid1986232|title=El Gobierno oficializó la eliminación de aranceles para la importación de productos electrónicos - LA NACION|newspaper=La Nación|access-date=12 April 2021|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095053/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/el-gobierno-oficializo-la-eliminacion-de-aranceles-para-la-importacion-de-productos-electronicos-nid1986232/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url = https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/el-gobierno-elimina-aranceles-importacion-productos-tecnologicos-nid2176195|title = El Gobierno elimina aranceles para la importación de productos tecnológicos - LA NACION|newspaper = La Nación|access-date = 12 April 2021|archive-date = 26 January 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210126105210/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/el-gobierno-elimina-aranceles-importacion-productos-tecnologicos-nid2176195|url-status = live}}{{Cite news|url = https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/comercio-exterior/reducen-aranceles-importacion-bienes-capital-fomentar-inversiones-nid2174002|title = Reducen los aranceles de importación de bienes de capital para fomentar inversiones - LA NACION|newspaper = La Nación|access-date = 12 April 2021|archive-date = 7 November 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095057/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/comercio-exterior/reducen-aranceles-importacion-bienes-capital-fomentar-inversiones-nid2174002/|url-status = live}}

The deregulation area allowed the incorporation of low cost airlines, such as JetSmart, Norwegian and Flybondi.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/los-cinco-aciertos-cinco-errores-economia-era-nid2301743|title=Los grandes aciertos y los errores de Macri, según los economistas - LA NACION|newspaper=La Nación|access-date=12 April 2021|archive-date=5 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105162705/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/los-cinco-aciertos-cinco-errores-economia-era-nid2301743|url-status=live}}

The economy worsened in 2018: inflation remained high, due in part to a trade deficit. The production of soy, the country's main export, had been reduced by a drought which was among the worst natural disasters in the world that year.{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2205680-cambio-climatico-sequia-argentina-diez-fenomenos-metereologicos|title= La sequía en la Argentina, entre los 10 fenómenos climáticos más destructivos del año|trans-title= The drought in Argentina, among the 10 most destructive climate events of the year|language= es|author= Fernando Massa|date= 26 December 2018|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 8 March 2019|archive-date= 7 November 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095117/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad/cambio-climatico-sequia-argentina-diez-fenomenos-metereologicos-nid2205680/|url-status= live}} The US Federal Reserve increased its interest rates, which raised the price of the US dollar against other currencies.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44389203|title= Why US rates have a global impact|date= 13 June 2018|publisher= BBC|access-date= 11 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190218031006/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44389203|archive-date= 18 February 2019|df= dmy-all}} The Central Bank of Argentina increased the interest rate to 60 percent, but could not hold off inflation.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45360223|title= Argentina raises rates as peso plummets|date= 30 August 2018|publisher= BBC|access-date= 11 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181124220937/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45360223|archive-date= 24 November 2018|df= dmy-all}}

File:Macri y Lagarde en Olivos 02.jpg, Managing Director of the IMF.]]

Macri announced on 8 May that Argentina would seek a loan from the IMF. The initial loan was US$50bn.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45350218|title= Argentina asks IMF to release $50bn loan as crisis worsens|date= 30 August 2018|publisher= BBC|access-date= 11 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181124220850/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45350218|archive-date= 24 November 2018|df= dmy-all}} Federico Sturzenegger, president of the Central Bank, resigned a week later. Macri replaced him with Luis Caputo, and merged the ministries of treasury and finances into a single ministry led by Nicolás Dujovne.{{cite news|url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-14/luis-caputo-replaces-sturzenegger-as-argentina-cenbank-president|title= Luis Caputo Replaces Sturzenegger as Argentina Cenbank President|author= Patrick Gillespie and Carolina Millan|newspaper= Bloomberg.com|date= 14 June 2018|publisher= Bloomberg|access-date= 11 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180702062818/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-14/luis-caputo-replaces-sturzenegger-as-argentina-cenbank-president|archive-date= 2 July 2018|df= dmy-all}} The US–Turkey diplomatic conflict caused a new increase on the US dollar. As a result of the crisis, the tariffs on soy exports were restored. Caputo resigned, and Guido Sandleris replaced him as president of the Central Bank.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/argentina-economy-sandleris/argentina-names-sandleris-as-new-central-bank-chief-statement-idUSE6N1PV04X|title= Argentina names Sandleris as new central bank chief|date= 25 September 2018|work= Reuters|access-date= 11 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181013172350/https://www.reuters.com/article/argentina-economy-sandleris/argentina-names-sandleris-as-new-central-bank-chief-statement-idUSE6N1PV04X|archive-date= 13 October 2018|df= dmy-all}} The IMF expanded the loan with an extra 7 billion, on the condition that the Central Bank would only adjust the price of the peso against the US dollar under certain conditions.{{cite web|url= https://www.voanews.com/a/argentine-senate-approves-austerity-budget-for-imf-deal/4660517.html|title= Argentine Senate Approves Austerity Budget for IMF Deal|date= 15 November 2018|publisher= Voice of America|access-date= 11 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181118191354/https://www.voanews.com/a/argentine-senate-approves-austerity-budget-for-imf-deal/4660517.html|archive-date= 18 November 2018|df= dmy-all}}

For 2019, the government accelerated the austerity plans, with less expenses and more taxes, to completely remove the fiscal deficit.{{cite magazine|url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/afontevecchia/2018/06/13/cambiemos-must-change-argentinas-macri-needs-a-radical-paradigm-shift/#3640c6714055|title= Cambiemos Must Change: Argentina's Macri Needs A Radical Paradigm Shift|author= Agustino Fontevecchia|date= 13 June 2018|magazine= Forbes|access-date= 1 October 2018|archive-date= 1 October 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181001220903/https://www.forbes.com/sites/afontevecchia/2018/06/13/cambiemos-must-change-argentinas-macri-needs-a-radical-paradigm-shift/#3640c6714055|url-status= live}}

File:Macri firma acuerdo Vaca Muerta 2.jpg

Prices for public utilities, such as electricity, gas and water, were fixed in 2002 by president Eduardo Duhalde during the 1998–2002 Argentine great depression. The Kirchners kept them fixed, and the state subsidized them to compensate for inflation, which rose by nearly 700 percent during their government. Investment in the utility sectors decreased, and generation and distribution networks deteriorated. Argentina lost its self-sufficiency, and went from an energy exporter to an importer.{{cite news|url= https://www.ft.com/content/f91f8318-ae42-11e0-8752-00144feabdc0|title= Argentina restricts foreign trade|first= Jude|last= Webber|date= 14 July 2011|newspaper= Financial Times|access-date= 22 September 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160923102125/https://www.ft.com/content/f91f8318-ae42-11e0-8752-00144feabdc0|archive-date= 23 September 2016|df= dmy-all}} The cost of energy imports increased the trade deficit and the inflation rate, and power outages became frequent.{{cite web|url= http://en.mercopress.com/2013/12/27/blackouts-continue-in-argentina-while-government-keeps-threatening-power-distributors|title= Blackouts continue in Argentina while government keeps threatening power distributors|date= 27 December 2013|publisher= Merco Press|access-date= 22 September 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160923112313/http://en.mercopress.com/2013/12/27/blackouts-continue-in-argentina-while-government-keeps-threatening-power-distributors|archive-date= 23 September 2016|df= dmy-all}} The Kirchners left the grid on the brink of collapse,{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-macri-energy-idUSKCN0ZP0WH|title= Argentina's Macri defends energy rate hikes after court injunction|first= Jorge|last= Otaola|date= 9 July 2016|work= Reuters|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170223042025/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-macri-energy-idUSKCN0ZP0WH|archive-date= 23 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} while their lavish subsidies were a large factor in the fiscal deficit that harmed the overall economy.

In 2016, Minister Juan José Aranguren arranged the removal of state subsidies for electricity, gas and water, which caused a huge increase in prices for those utilities. The increases were met with protests in several cities.{{cite web|url= http://en.mercopress.com/2016/08/15/argentina-s-economy-a-battle-over-utility-bills-is-president-macri-s-first-big-crisis|title= Argentina's economy: a battle over utility bills is president Macri's first big crisis|date= 15 August 2016|publisher= Merco Press|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170224052547/http://en.mercopress.com/2016/08/15/argentina-s-economy-a-battle-over-utility-bills-is-president-macri-s-first-big-crisis|archive-date= 24 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} Because mandatory public hearings had not been held on the price increases, these were annulled by the courts. The Supreme Court upheld a temporary halt of the price increase for residential customers in September 2016.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1938443-protestan-contra-el-tarifazo-a-metros-de-la-audiencia-publica-por-el-gas|title= Protestan contra el tarifazo a metros de la audiencia pública por el gas|trans-title= Protests against the tax increase at meters of the public audience for the gas distribution|language= es|date= 16 September 2016|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 24 October 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161024234701/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1938443-protestan-contra-el-tarifazo-a-metros-de-la-audiencia-publica-por-el-gas|archive-date= 24 October 2016|df= dmy-all}}

Seeking to increase energy production, Macri signed an investment deal for the Vaca Muerta shale deposit in Patagonia. Roughly the size of Belgium, Vaca Muerta has the second-largest reserve of shale gas in the world. To finalise the deal, the unions negotiated flexibility in labour costs, which had been the main drawback to industrial development in the area. The Neuquén Province government pledged to improve roads and general infrastructure.{{cite news|url= https://www.ft.com/content/031d1674-d74f-11e6-944b-e7eb37a6aa8e|title= Argentina strikes $15bn a year shale investment deal|first= Benedict|last= Mander|date= 10 January 2017|newspaper= Financial Times|access-date= 18 February 2017|url-access= subscription|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170219081446/https://www.ft.com/content/031d1674-d74f-11e6-944b-e7eb37a6aa8e|archive-date= 19 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

Human rights organizations had aligned themselves with the governments of both Néstor and Cristina Kirchner, even in topics unrelated to human rights, and often worked as their spokesmen. They continued this role after 2015, when Macri defeated the Kirchnerite candidate in the presidential elections,Novaro, pp. 16-19 which undermined the legitimacy of the organizations in Argentine society.Novaro, p. 21 Macri maintained a distant relation with those organizations, and did not seek their support, but did not openly confront them. They kept their funding and the institutions under their control, and the trials of military personnel for crimes in the Dirty War (1974–1983) continued. Nevertheless, the organizations continued their opposition to Macri.Novaro, p. 26 His cabinet was divided on an approach to take: whether to directly confront the organizations and remove their state financing, or to take an active role in their activities and replace their leaders with less politically motivated figures.Novaro, pp. 30-31 The general policy, however, was to ignore the disputes and focus the activities of the government towards more pressing matters, such as the economy.Novaro, p. 29

The government modified the public holiday for the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice, which makes reference to the 1976 Argentine coup d'état, to allow it to be celebrated on a movable date. This ruling was met with huge criticism.{{cite news|url= https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/sigue-polemica-feriado-24-marzo_0_H1XQcAEPe.html|title= Sigue la polémica por el feriado del 24 de marzo|trans-title= The controversy over the 24 March holiday continues|language= es|date= 24 January 2017|newspaper= Clarín|access-date= 5 December 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181206002120/https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/sigue-polemica-feriado-24-marzo_0_H1XQcAEPe.html|archive-date= 6 December 2018|df= dmy-all}} The ruling was reverted some days later, and the holiday was kept at the fixed date of 24 March.{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1980739-el-gobierno-confirmo-por-decreto-el-24-de-marzo-como-feriado-inamovible|title= El gobierno confirmó por decreto el 24 de marzo como feriado inamovible|trans-title= The government confirmed by decree 24 March as an inmovable date|language= es|date= 1 February 2017|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 5 December 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170519202120/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1980739-el-gobierno-confirmo-por-decreto-el-24-de-marzo-como-feriado-inamovible|archive-date= 19 May 2017|df= dmy-all}}

The #NiUnaMenos movement, which advanced a feminist agenda in Argentina since 2015, stayed strong during the Macri presidency. Macri said during the 2018 opening of the National Congress that, although he was anti-abortion, he wanted the Congress to have an abortion debate and discuss a bill for a new abortion law.{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2113185-mauricio-macri-congreso-discurso-apertura-sesiones-legislativas-2018|title= Mauricio Macri en el Congreso: reviví el minuto a minuto de la Asamblea Legislativa|trans-title= Mauricio Macri in the Congress, relive the minute by minute of the Legislative assembly|language= es|date= 1 March 2018|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 28 February 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180618075513/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2113185-mauricio-macri-congreso-discurso-apertura-sesiones-legislativas-2018|archive-date= 18 June 2018|df= dmy-all}} As of 2018, abortion was only legally allowed for rapes and cases that may threaten the mother's health. The feminist movement organized several demonstrations in the following months, in support of the voluntary termination of pregnancy abortion bill that was proposed in Congress. The proposal, however, became highly polarizing. The country has a strong conservative catholic population, particularly in the less-populated provinces, who rejected the bill. This polarization was unrelated to the political polarization of the country, and the legislators of both Cambiemos and the Justicialist Party (PJ) were divided on the vote.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-abortion/argentina-lower-house-passes-legal-abortion-bill-in-tight-vote-idUSKBN1JA1ZT|title= Argentina lower house passes legal abortion bill in tight vote|date= 14 June 2018|work= Reuters|access-date= 10 July 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190412185812/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-abortion/argentina-lower-house-passes-legal-abortion-bill-in-tight-vote-idUSKBN1JA1ZT|archive-date= 12 April 2019|df= dmy-all}} The bill was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in June, but opposition became more organized after its approval{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/world/americas/argentina-abortion-explainer.html|title= What to Know About Argentina's Vote on Abortion|author= Megan Specia|date= 8 August 2018|newspaper= The New York Times|access-date= 12 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190318072749/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/world/americas/argentina-abortion-explainer.html|archive-date= 18 March 2019|df= dmy-all}} and the Senate rejected the bill, by 38 to 31 votes.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/09/argentina-senate-rejects-bill-legalise-abortion|title= Argentina senate rejects bill to legalise abortion|author= Uki Goñi|date= 9 August 2018|newspaper= The Guardian|access-date= 23 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190426061822/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/09/argentina-senate-rejects-bill-legalise-abortion|archive-date= 26 April 2019|df= dmy-all}}

In December 2017, police officer Luis Chocobar killed a fleeing man who had stabbed an American tourist in La Boca, Buenos Aires. Macri hosted him in early 2018 and hailed him as a hero. His administration would later enact the "Chocobar doctrine", broadening the rights of police officer to exercise lethal force when responding to criminal cases.{{cite news |title=Mauricio Macri defendió al condenado Luis Chocobar |trans-title=Mauricio Macri defended the convicted Luis Chocobar |url=https://www.minutouno.com/sociedad/mauricio-macri/defendio-al-condenado-luis-chocobar-n5196383 |access-date=29 May 2021 |work=Minuto Uno |date=28 May 2021 |language=Spanish |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528222602/https://www.minutouno.com/sociedad/mauricio-macri/defendio-al-condenado-luis-chocobar-n5196383 |url-status=live }}

File:Mauricio Macri & Donald Trump at the White House 05.jpg and their respective first ladies, at the White House in the United States]]

During Macri's presidency, Argentina's foreign relations shifted substantially from those under Kirchner. He immediately proposed action against Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela for human-rights abuses and to remove that country from Mercosur.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/23/argentina-president-elect-mauricio-macri-iran-venezuela|title= Argentina president-elect pledges radical policy changes in shift to right|author= Jonathan Watts and Uki Goñi|date= 22 November 2015|newspaper= The Guardian|access-date= 9 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170205121758/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/23/argentina-president-elect-mauricio-macri-iran-venezuela|archive-date= 5 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} This shift was part of a change in the Latin American pink tide.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35060390|title= Latin America: The pink tide turns|first= Nick|last= Caistor|date= 11 December 2015|publisher= BBC|access-date= 12 June 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160827005800/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35060390|archive-date= 27 August 2016|df= dmy-all}} The other countries in the bloc also opposed Maduro's socialist government, and prevented Venezuela from taking the pro tempore presidency of Mercosur. The bloc sought a trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union and closer ties with the Pacific Alliance.{{cite web|url= http://en.mercopress.com/2016/08/02/mercosur-in-a-state-of-disarray-venezuela-s-presidency-disavowed-by-argentina-brazil-and-paraguay|title= Mercosur in a state of disarray; Venezuela's presidency disavowed by Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay|date= 2 August 2016|publisher= Merco Press|access-date= 9 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170217061850/http://en.mercopress.com/2016/08/02/mercosur-in-a-state-of-disarray-venezuela-s-presidency-disavowed-by-argentina-brazil-and-paraguay|archive-date= 17 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} Macri agreed with Brazilian president Michel Temer to guarantee free trade between their countries.{{cite web|url= http://en.mercopress.com/2017/02/04/temer-and-macri-meet-next-week-to-make-mercosur-an-effective-free-trade-space|title= Temer and Macri meet next week to make Mercosur an effective free trade space|date= 4 February 2017|publisher= Merco Press|access-date= 16 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170217061731/http://en.mercopress.com/2017/02/04/temer-and-macri-meet-next-week-to-make-mercosur-an-effective-free-trade-space|archive-date= 17 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} Macri and Temer increased their interest in better trade relations with Mexico, the second-largest economy in Latin America, after Mexican-American relations started to turn sour under the Trump administration.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-argentina-mexico-idUSKBN15M2BK|title= Brazil, Argentina push for closer trade with Mexico in Trump era|first= Alonso|last= Soto|date= 7 February 2017|work= Reuters|access-date= 16 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170217142540/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-argentina-mexico-idUSKBN15M2BK|archive-date= 17 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

Argentina and Venezuela had troubled relations at the time. The 2017 Venezuelan Constituent Assembly election was considered illegal by Argentina, which does not acknowledge the legislative body established by it.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2048449-la-argentina-no-reconocera-el-resultado-de-la-eleccion-en-venezuela|title= La Argentina no reconocerá el resultado de la elección en Venezuela|trans-title= Argentina will not acknowledge the results of the election in Venezuela|language= es|date= 30 July 2017|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 30 July 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190225232405/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2048449-la-argentina-no-reconocera-el-resultado-de-la-eleccion-en-venezuela|archive-date= 25 February 2019|df= dmy-all}} Macri also removed the Order of the Liberator General San Martín award from Maduro.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2049660-mauricio-macri-venezuela-tiene-que-ser-suspendida-definitivamente-del-mercosur|title= Mauricio Macri: "Vamos a retirarle a Nicolás Maduro la Orden del General San Martín, por la violación sistemática de su gobierno a los derechos humanos"|trans-title= Mauricio Macri: "We will remove the San Martin order from Maduro, for the systematic human rights violations of his government"|language= es|date= 3 August 2017|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 1 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190112114714/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2049660-mauricio-macri-venezuela-tiene-que-ser-suspendida-definitivamente-del-mercosur|archive-date= 12 January 2019|df= dmy-all}} Argentina signed the Declaration of Lima, which established the Lima Group, a supranational body of countries that consider Venezuela to be under a dictatorship and want to restore its democracy.{{cite web|url= https://www.peruviantimes.com/08/venezuela-region-agrees-its-a-dictatorship/30041/|title= Venezuela: Region Agrees It's a Dictatorship|date= 8 August 2017|publisher= Peruvian Times|access-date= 23 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190423174217/https://www.peruviantimes.com/08/venezuela-region-agrees-its-a-dictatorship/30041/|archive-date= 23 April 2019|df= dmy-all}} Maduro was re-elected in the 2018 Venezuelan presidential election and took office for a new term on 10 January 2019. This started the 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis, as many countries believed that Maduro had committed electoral fraud. Argentina and Brazil, under the newly elected Jair Bolsonaro, refused to acknowledge Maduro as a legitimate ruler. They instead acknowledged Juan Guaidó, who was appointed president of Venezuela by the National Assembly.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-latam/maduro-isolated-as-latin-american-nations-back-venezuela-opposition-leader-idUSKCN1PI01J|title= Maduro isolated as Latin American nations back Venezuela opposition leader|date= 23 January 2019|work= Reuters|access-date= 23 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190423174803/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-latam/maduro-isolated-as-latin-american-nations-back-venezuela-opposition-leader-idUSKCN1PI01J|archive-date= 23 April 2019|df= dmy-all}} Furthermore, during the Venezuelan uprising attempt of April 2019, Macri supported anti-Maduro military forces and reiterated his position of recognizing Guaidó as legitimate President of Venezuela.{{cite news |title=Mauricio Macri respaldó la "Operación Libertad" en Venezuela: "Que el sufrimiento y el miedo de los venezolanos llegue a su fin" |trans-title=Mauricio Macri supported "Operation Freedom" in Venezuela: "May the suffering and fear of Venezuelans come to an end" |url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2019/04/30/mauricio-macri-respaldo-la-operacion-libertad-en-venezuela-que-el-sufrimiento-y-el-miedo-de-los-venezolanos-llegue-a-su-fin/ |work=Infobae |date=30 April 2019 |language=Spanish |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430231327/https://www.infobae.com/politica/2019/04/30/mauricio-macri-respaldo-la-operacion-libertad-en-venezuela-que-el-sufrimiento-y-el-miedo-de-los-venezolanos-llegue-a-su-fin/ |url-status=live }}

File:Macri & Merkel G20 2017 summit.jpg during the 2017 G20 Summit in Hamburg]]

Macri also shifted Argentina's relations with the United States. During a visit in 2016, president Barack Obama praised him: "I'm impressed because he has moved rapidly on so many of the reforms that he promised, to create more sustainable and inclusive economic growth, to reconnect Argentina with the global economy and the world community". Obama announced that the US would declassify its military and intelligence records of the 1970s Dirty War.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-argentina-idUSKCN0WP0B3|title= Obama praises Argentina's 'man in a hurry' Macri for reforms|author= Jeff Mason and Richard Lough|date= 24 March 2016|work= Reuters|access-date= 16 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170210233923/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-argentina-idUSKCN0WP0B3|archive-date= 10 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 US presidential election, which was won by Republican Donald Trump. Macri tried to remain in good terms with the US after the Trump was elected president. In 2019, Trump declassified more than 5,600 US documents about the Dirty War.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-usa-rights/us-declassifies-final-tranche-of-records-on-argentina-dirty-war-idUSKCN1RO20G|title= U.S. declassifies final tranche of records on Argentina 'Dirty War'|date= 12 April 2019|work= Reuters|access-date= 23 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190423160303/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-usa-rights/us-declassifies-final-tranche-of-records-on-argentina-dirty-war-idUSKCN1RO20G|archive-date= 23 April 2019|df= dmy-all}}

Macri maintained the Argentine claim in the Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute. However, he took a less-confrontational stance towards the United Kingdom and allowed more flights between Argentina and the islands. Relations between Argentina and the UK improved greatly, but both Argentine and the United Kingdom maintain their respective claim on the islands.{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/21/argentine-president-mentions-falklands-in-brief-chat-with-theres/|title= Argentine president mentions Falklands in brief chat with Theresa May|date= 21 September 2016|newspaper= The Telegraph|access-date= 16 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170217223607/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/21/argentine-president-mentions-falklands-in-brief-chat-with-theres/|archive-date= 17 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

File:Macri y Guaido 01.jpg as president of Venezuela during the 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis.]]

Macri changed Argentina's position on conflicts in the Middle East. During Macri's first week in office, he voided the memorandum of understanding between Argentina and Iran, which would have established a joint investigation of the 1994 AMIA bombing, a terrorist attack on a Jewish organization for which Argentina had blamed Hezbollah and Iran. The memorandum had been ruled unconstitutional by the judiciary, a ruling which was appealed during Kirchner's presidency. Macri withdrew the appeal, upholding the original ruling.{{cite news|url= http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-argentina-government-voids-pact-with-iran-on-amia-bombing/|title= New Argentina government voids pact with Iran on AMIA bombing|author= JTA|date= 14 December 2015|newspaper= Times of Israel|access-date= 25 April 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160426015814/http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-argentina-government-voids-pact-with-iran-on-amia-bombing/|archive-date= 26 April 2016|df= dmy-all}} He distanced himself from Iran and encouraged continued investigations of the AMIA bombing and the death of Alberto Nisman, a prosecutor investigating the case.{{cite web|url= http://www.jta.org/2017/01/18/news-opinion/world/honor-alberto-nismans-sacrifice-by-continuing-his-probe-of-iran|title= Honor Alberto Nisman's sacrifice by continuing his probe of Iran|author= Gardner Lange and Toby Dershowitz|date= 18 January 2017|publisher= Jewish Telegraphic Agency|access-date= 16 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170217064555/http://www.jta.org/2017/01/18/news-opinion/world/honor-alberto-nismans-sacrifice-by-continuing-his-probe-of-iran|archive-date= 17 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} Those cases and Nisman's probe into Cristina Kirchner involvement with Iran have special importance for Argentina–Israel relations, and ambassador Carlos Faustino García and Israeli diplomat Modi Efraim praised Macri for encouraging the investigations.{{cite news|url= http://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-remembers-argentine-prosecutor-amid-hopes-for-breakthrough-in-case/|title= Knesset remembers Argentine prosecutor Nisman amid hopes for breakthrough|first= Marissa|last= Newman|date= 18 January 2017|newspaper= The Times of Israel|access-date= 16 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170217071328/http://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-remembers-argentine-prosecutor-amid-hopes-for-breakthrough-in-case/|archive-date= 17 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} Macri further improved relations with Israel and in September 2017, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first Israeli Prime Minister to ever visit Argentina.{{cite web |title=Declaración conjunta del presidente Mauricio Macri y el primer ministro de Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu |trans-title=Joint statement by President Mauricio Macri and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu |url=https://www.casarosada.gob.ar/informacion/discursos/40745-declaracion-conjunta-del-presidente-mauricio-macri-y-el-primer-ministro-de-israel-benjamin-netanyahu |website=www.casarosada.gob.ar |publisher=Casa Rosada |date=12 September 2017 |language=Spanish |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419152420/https://www.casarosada.gob.ar/informacion/discursos/40745-declaracion-conjunta-del-presidente-mauricio-macri-y-el-primer-ministro-de-israel-benjamin-netanyahu |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Primera visita oficial de un primer ministro israelí en la historia |trans-title=First official visit by an Israeli prime minister in history |url=https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/es/actualidad/boletin/primera-visita-oficial-de-un-primer-ministro-israeli-en-la-historia |website=www.cancilleria.gob.ar |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship |date=September 2017 |language=Spanish |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419153929/https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/es/actualidad/boletin/primera-visita-oficial-de-un-primer-ministro-israeli-en-la-historia |url-status=live }} In July 2016, it was announced that Argentina would grant asylum to 3,000 refugees of the Syrian Civil War.{{cite web|url= https://panampost.com/amanda-blohm/2016/07/07/argentina-will-receive-3000-syrian-refugees/|title= Argentina Will Accept 3,000 Syrian Refugees|first= Amanda|last= Blohm|date= 7 July 2016|publisher= Panam Post|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170328081359/https://panampost.com/amanda-blohm/2016/07/07/argentina-will-receive-3000-syrian-refugees/|archive-date= 28 March 2017|df= dmy-all}} In July 2019, Macri designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in relation to the Israeli embassy bombing, and especially related to the AMIA bombing.{{cite news |title=Argentina designates Hezbollah as terrorist organisation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49030561 |agency=BBC News |date=18 July 2019 |access-date=5 April 2021 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225114748/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49030561 |url-status=live }}

File:Macrivotom1.jpg

{{main|2017 Argentine legislative election}}

The 2017 Argentine legislative election renewed a third of the seats in the Senate and half in the chamber of deputies.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41719074|title= Argentina election: Macri wins crucial mid-term vote|date= 23 October 2017|publisher= BBC|access-date= 27 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190329191233/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41719074|archive-date= 29 March 2019|df= dmy-all}} The election was considered a referendum on the presidency of Macri up to that point. Kirchner, leader of the opposition, ran for senator for the populous Buenos Aires province. She left the PJ to avoid the primary elections and created a new party, Citizen's Unity. Esteban Bullrich, minister of education, was the candidate of Cambiemos in the district. Kirchner and Bullrich had a close tie in the primary election, and Kirchner prevailed by just 0.21 percent of the vote.{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/cristina-kirchner-gano-en-las-paso-de-la-provincia-de-buenos-aires-por-021-por-ciento-nid2057743|title= Cristina Kirchner ganó por 0,21% en las PASO de la provincia de Buenos Aires|trans-title= Cristina Kirchner won by 0.21 percent in the Buenos Aires province PASO|language= es|author= María José Lucesole|date= 29 August 2017|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 27 March 2019|archive-date= 7 November 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095057/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/cristina-kirchner-gano-en-las-paso-de-la-provincia-de-buenos-aires-por-021-por-ciento-nid2057743/|url-status= live}}

The electoral campaign, however, was largely ignored, as the media was focused on the ongoing controversy over the disappearance of Santiago Maldonado (see below). Kirchner used the case in her political campaign, stating that Maldonado was the victim of a forced disappearance, similar to those of the Dirty War.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41066685|title= Where is Santiago Maldonado? Argentina searches for missing protester|date= 27 August 2017|publisher= BBC|access-date= 26 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190404192712/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41066685|archive-date= 4 April 2019|df= dmy-all}} Maldonado was found dead a few days before the general elections, and the circumstances and autopsy refuted Kirchner's theory. Cambiemos won in thirteen of the twenty-three provinces of Argentina, and in the five most-populated districts. Kirchner ended in a distant second place, as a result of the higher turnout for the general elections.{{cite web|url= http://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201710/215178-porcentajes-aumento-votantes-participacion-electoral-elecciones-2017-generales-paso.html|title= Aumentó casi seis puntos la cantidad de ciudadanos que fue a votar respecto de las PASO|trans-title= The number of voters increased almost six points since the PASO|language= es|date= 22 October 2017|publisher= Telam|access-date= 27 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190404184444/http://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201710/215178-porcentajes-aumento-votantes-participacion-electoral-elecciones-2017-generales-paso.html|archive-date= 4 April 2019|df= dmy-all}}

Sergio Burstein was the leader of a group of people whose relatives died in the AMIA bombing. Macri was charged in a 2010 wiretapping case, suspected of spying on Burstein and his brother-in-law Néstor Daniel Leonardo. Macri denied the charges. Judge Norberto Oyarbide indicted him, and Federal Chamber members Eduardo Farah, Eduardo Freiler and Jorge Ballestero confirmed the indictment. It was suspected at the time that Macri had organized a clandestine spy network with the aid of Jorge Alberto Palacios and Ciro James. The case was transferred to judge Sebastián Casanello, who ordered further investigation. It was learned that Macri had little knowledge about Palacios' daily activities and his minister, Mariano Narodowski, had appointed James. Franco Macri, the president's father, admitted to hiring private agencies to spy on Daniel Leonardo.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1909053-la-camara-confirmo-el-cierre-de-la-causa-contra-macri-por-las-escuchas|title= La Cámara confirmó el cierre de la causa contra Macri por las escuchas|trans-title= The chamber confirmed the closure of the case against Macri about wiretapping|language= es|author= Paz Rodríguez Niell|date= 15 June 2016|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 7 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170208040655/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1909053-la-camara-confirmo-el-cierre-de-la-causa-contra-macri-por-las-escuchas|archive-date= 8 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

Although Casanello dismissed the charges in 2015,{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/30/world/americas/mauricio-macri-argentine-president-is-cleared-of-wiretapping-charges.html?_r=0|title= Mauricio Macri, Argentine President, Is Cleared of Wiretapping Charges|first= Jonathan|last= Gilbert|date= 29 December 2015|newspaper= The New York Times|access-date= 3 February 2017|archive-date= 7 November 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095140/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/30/world/americas/mauricio-macri-argentine-president-is-cleared-of-wiretapping-charges.html?_r=0|url-status= live}} Leonardo appealed the ruling; the dismissal was upheld several months later in federal court. Farah, Freiler and Ballestero voted for acquittal; others involved in the case, including Palacios, are still under investigation.

In 2016, the Panama Papers were leaked, comprising 11.5 million documents detailing offshore entities owned by people from many countries. Macri was listed as a director of Fleg Trading from 1998 to 2009. He did not declare his involvement in 2007, when he became mayor, or in 2015, when he became president. Prosecutor Federico Delgado asked the judiciary to determine if Macri "maliciously failed to complete his tax declaration". Macri argued that he did not report his involvement because he was not a stakeholder and did not receive money from it.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/08/argentina-president-maurio-macri-fights-back-after-panama-papers-reveal-offshore-links|title= Argentina's president Mauricio Macri fights back after Panama Papers reveal offshore links|first= Jonathan|last= Watts|date= 8 April 2016|newspaper= The Guardian|access-date= 9 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075827/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/08/argentina-president-maurio-macri-fights-back-after-panama-papers-reveal-offshore-links|archive-date= 11 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} The company was established by his father to run a failed Brazilian business.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-panama-tax-argentina-idUSKCN0X1202|title= Argentina's Macri denies wrongdoing at 'Panama Papers' offshore firm|first= Sarah|last= Marsh|date= 4 April 2016|work= Reuters|access-date= 9 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170226132535/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-panama-tax-argentina-idUSKCN0X1202|archive-date= 26 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} Macri owns other foreign accounts with properly-disclosed transactions,{{cite news|url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/04/04/secret-panamapapers-files-who-did-what/82599656/|title= Panama Papers: Who's accused of what|first= Kim|last= Hjelmgaard|date= 4 April 2016|newspaper= USA Today|access-date= 9 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170210074328/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/04/04/secret-panamapapers-files-who-did-what/82599656/|archive-date= 10 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} and said that he would file a judicial "declaration of certainty" to affirm his statements.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35991155|title= Panama Papers: Argentina President Macri to go before judge|date= 8 April 2016|publisher= BBC|access-date= 9 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170211104847/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35991155|archive-date= 11 February 2017|df= dmy-all}} A similar company, Kagemusha, was discovered several months later. It was established in 1981 by Franco Macri, with his then-22-year-old son as its vice president.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1886290-tambien-figura-en-otra-firma-de-panama|title= También figura en otra firma, de Panamá|trans-title= He is in another Panama firm|language= es|date= 5 April 2016|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 9 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170211160628/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1886290-tambien-figura-en-otra-firma-de-panama|archive-date= 11 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

On 20 September 2017, civil judge Andrés Fraga determined that, in Fleg Trading Ltd, Mauricio Macri accepted the position of director for the sole and only effect of designating a replacement and resigning, and that in Kagemusha he did not even tacitly accept the position of director for which he was appointed by Franco Macri. The ruling added that he was not a shareholder in either of the two companies, that he did not receive any dividends or profits, did not participate in the business decisions, nor was he the owner or co-owner of any current bank account of the companies.{{Cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2064793-la-justicia-despego-a-mauricio-macri-de-los-panama-papers|title= La Justicia despegó a Mauricio Macri de los Panamá Papers|website= La Nación|language= es|access-date= 6 November 2017|date= 20 September 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170928034251/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2064793-la-justicia-despego-a-mauricio-macri-de-los-panama-papers|archive-date= 28 September 2017|df= dmy-all}}

Gerardo Morales of the UCR was elected governor of Jujuy Province in the 2015 elections. Although the UCR was part of Cambiemos in federal politics, it was allied with Sergio Massa in the province. Morales was the first non-Peronist governor in the province since 1983.{{cite news|url= http://www.clarin.com/ultimo-momento/historico-batacazo-gerardo-morales-jujuy_0_SJJxGEWKPQe.html|title= Histórico batacazo del radical Gerardo Morales en Jujuy|trans-title= History surprise of the radical Gerardo Morales in Jujuy|language= es|date= 25 October 2015|newspaper= Clarín|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170102082941/http://www.clarin.com/ultimo-momento/historico-batacazo-gerardo-morales-jujuy_0_SJJxGEWKPQe.html|archive-date= 2 January 2017|df= dmy-all}} He opposed activist Milagro Sala, accusing her of leading a government parallel to that of Eduardo Fellner.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1797984-con-criticas-a-fellner-y-a-milagro-sala-gerardo-morales-lanzo-su-candidatura|title= Con críticas a Fellner y a Milagro Sala, Gerardo Morales lanzó su candidatura|trans-title= Criticizing Fellner and Milagro Sala, Gerardo Morales launched his candidacy|language= es|first= Amalia|last= Eizayaga|date= 1 June 2015|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170302033709/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1797984-con-criticas-a-fellner-y-a-milagro-sala-gerardo-morales-lanzo-su-candidatura|archive-date= 2 March 2017|df= dmy-all}} According to Morales, Sala led a violent and coercive group and children were forced to join her party to attend school.{{cite web|url= http://www.lagacetasalta.com.ar/nota/28950/politica/para-gerardo-morales-milagro-sala-una-suerte-delia-schoklender-juntos.html|title= Para Gerardo Morales, Milagro Sala es "una suerte de D'Elia y Schoklender juntos"|trans-title= For Gerardo Morales, Milagro Sala is like "some kind of mix of D'Elía and Schoklender"|language= es|date= 22 August 2015|publisher= La Gaceta de Salta|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170302112308/http://www.lagacetasalta.com.ar/nota/28950/politica/para-gerardo-morales-milagro-sala-una-suerte-delia-schoklender-juntos.html|archive-date= 2 March 2017|df= dmy-all}} When he was elected governor, Morales ordered all organizations to operate though banks instead of on a cash basis to retain their legal standing.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1861894-gerardo-morales-emplazo-por-decreto-a-la-tupac-amaru-despues-del-14-que-les-pague-milagro-sala|title= Gerardo Morales emplazó por decreto a la Tupac Amaru: "Después del 14, que les pague Milagro Sala"|trans-title= Gerardo Morales pressured by the Túpac Amaru: "After the 14th, let them be paid by Milagro Sala"|language= es|date= 13 January 2016|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161021050729/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1861894-gerardo-morales-emplazo-por-decreto-a-la-tupac-amaru-despues-del-14-que-les-pague-milagro-sala|archive-date= 21 October 2016|df= dmy-all}} Sala began a protest in front of the government plaza, but most of her supporters accepted Morales's edict.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1976113-milagro-sala-un-ano-presa-y-cercada-por-la-justicia|title= Milagro Sala: un año presa y cercada por la Justicia|trans-title= Milagro Sala: one year jailed and surrounded by the judiciary|language= es|first= Rosario|last= Agostini|date= 16 January 2017|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170302030700/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1976113-milagro-sala-un-ano-presa-y-cercada-por-la-justicia|archive-date= 2 March 2017|df= dmy-all}} Prosecutor Viviana Montiel asked local judge Raúl Gutiérrez to order Sala's arrest for causing a disturbance and encouraging crime. Gutiérrez agreed, and Sala was arrested on 16 January 2016.{{cite news|url= http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1862818-detuvieron-a-milagro-sala-en-jujuy-por-el-acampe-contra-gerardo-morales|title= Detuvieron a Milagro Sala en Jujuy por el acampe contra Gerardo Morales|trans-title= They arrested Milagro Sala in Jujuy because of the camping against Gerardo Morales|language= es|date= 16 January 2016|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170213184601/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1862818-detuvieron-a-milagro-sala-en-jujuy-por-el-acampe-contra-gerardo-morales/|archive-date= 13 February 2017|df= dmy-all}}

After Sala's arrest, she was charged with embezzlement in connection with housing construction. Although her initial charges were dropped, she remained in jail on the later ones. The case generated international criticism, and the United Nations and the Organization of American States requested her release. Macri said that the case was under provincial, not federal, jurisdiction.{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-rights-idUSKBN14H1WJ|title= Argentine activist sentenced to probation, remains in jail|first= Maximiliano|last= Rizzi|date= 28 December 2016|work= Reuters|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170302113701/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-rights-idUSKBN14H1WJ|archive-date= 2 March 2017|df= dmy-all}} Amnesty International considers "that Milagro Sala is being criminalized for peacefully exercising her rights to freedom of expression and protest" and, along with other human rights groups, have called for the granting of precautionary measures to guarantee the liberty of Milagro Sala, along with the exercise of freedom of expression and the right to social protest in Argentina.{{Cite web |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fWKNz5ehGAQWjXSsapl4fde0vHgeIjLWAY6svyh7u-I/edit |title=Letter in support of Milagro Sala - Google Docs |access-date=15 August 2020 |archive-date=5 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805145812/https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fWKNz5ehGAQWjXSsapl4fde0vHgeIjLWAY6svyh7u-I/edit |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/uaa01316_0.pdf |title=Peaceful protestor detained, on hunger strike |access-date=15 August 2020 |archive-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510204300/http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/uaa01316_0.pdf }}http://www.cels.org.ar/comunicacion/?info=detalleDoc&ids=4&lang=es&ss=46&idc=2026 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510164243/http://www.cels.org.ar/comunicacion/?info=detalleDoc&ids=4&lang=es&ss=46&idc=2026 |date=10 May 2017 }} https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/opinion/what-obama-should-know-about-macris-argentina.html?_r=0 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227041540/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/opinion/what-obama-should-know-about-macris-argentina.html?_r=0 |date=27 February 2021 }} The Supreme Court refused to hear the case, which continues in the province.{{cite web|url= http://tn.com.ar/politica/la-corte-suprema-rechazo-intervenir-por-la-detencion-de-milagro-sala_661829|title= La Corte Suprema rechazó intervenir por la detención de Milagro Sala|trans-title= The Supreme Court refused to intervene in the detention of Milagro Sala|language= es|date= 28 March 2016|publisher= Todo Noticias|access-date= 18 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170302030150/http://tn.com.ar/politica/la-corte-suprema-rechazo-intervenir-por-la-detencion-de-milagro-sala_661829|archive-date= 2 March 2017|df= dmy-all}}

File:24M Día de la Memoria 2018 - Buenos Aires 40.jpg.]]

{{main|Death of Santiago Maldonado}}

The Benetton Group has territories at the Chubut Province, and the Mapuche indigenous people claim that those territories belonged to them. Facundo Jones Huala, from the Resistencia Ancestral Mapuche group,{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2050635-cristina-kirchner-pidio-la-aparicion-con-vida-de-santiago-maldonado-y-responsabilizo-a-gendarmeria|title= Cristina Kirchner pidió la aparición con vida de Santiago Maldonado y responsabilizó a Gendarmería|trans-title= Cristina Kirchner asked for Santiago Maldonado to be returned alive and blamed the gendarmerie|language= es|date= 6 August 2018|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 30 October 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190213071216/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2050635-cristina-kirchner-pidio-la-aparicion-con-vida-de-santiago-maldonado-y-responsabilizo-a-gendarmeria|archive-date= 13 February 2019|df= dmy-all}} was jailed because of violent protests, and a group of eight people organized a picketing protest at the National Route 40, advocating for his liberation. The road was completely blocked by stones, trees and fire. Judge Guido Otranto instructed the Argentine National Gendarmerie (GNA) to clear the blockade and disperse the protesters. The protesters reacted violently, then escaped from the GNA. Some of them swam across the nearby Chubut River and others hid in the adjacent forest.{{cite news|url= https://www.clarin.com/politica/otranto-sigue-frente-causa-desalojo_0_rksganrjZ.html|title= A pesar de la recusación, Otranto sigue al frente de la causa por el desalojo de la ruta 40|trans-title= Despite the recusal, Otranto is still in charge of the case over the liberation of the Route 40|language= es|author= Claudio Andrade|date= 24 September 2017|newspaper= Clarín|access-date= 20 September 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181215123525/https://www.clarin.com/politica/otranto-sigue-frente-causa-desalojo_0_rksganrjZ.html|archive-date= 15 December 2018|df= dmy-all}}

One of those protesters was Santiago Maldonado, and his whereabouts were unknown after the incident. Kirchnerist and human-rights organizations considered that Maldonado was a victim of a forced disappearance, and posited that he could be the first victim of a wider plan of political repression.Novaro, p. 16 Other theories were proposed during the investigation: that he escaped to Chile, that he was hiding, or that he had been murdered some days before in an unrelated crime and was never in the protest at all (the protesters wore hoods).Novaro, pp. 71-75 It was also proposed that he could have drowned, but the Mapuches held control of the area and impeded access by the GNA.Novaro, p. 50 When the GNA did enter the area, the corpse was found in the river.{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/caso-santiago-maldonado-cuerpo-identificacion-nid2073249|title= Sergio Maldonado: "Estamos convencidos de que es Santiago"|trans-title= Sergio Maldonado: "We are sure it's Santiago"|language= es|date= 20 October 2017|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 27 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190327195124/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/caso-santiago-maldonado-cuerpo-identificacion-nid2073249|archive-date= 27 March 2019|df= dmy-all}} An autopsy confirmed his identity, that the body had no signs of blows or injuries, and that he died by asphyxia and hypothermia. The judicial case was closed a year later, as the judge ruled that there was no forced disappearance and that there was no further evidence pointing towards anything other than an accidental drowning.{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2197521-el-juez-lleral-cerro-causa-donde-se|title= Cierran la causa por la muerte de Santiago Maldonado|trans-title= They close the Santiago Maldonado case|language= es|author= Candela Ini|date= 29 November 2018|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 29 November 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181130122209/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2197521-el-juez-lleral-cerro-causa-donde-se|archive-date= 30 November 2018|df= dmy-all}}File:Coat of Arms of Mauricio Macri (Order of Isabella the Catholic).svg]]

On 15 November 2017, the submarine ARA San Juan (S-42) went missing. There were several irregularities both in the search process and in the communication with the families of those affected by the accident. The families started a judiciary process to establish the chain of responsibilities in the process. In a recent hearing, one of the accused stated that the government knew the location of the submarine and found it in 5 December 2017, but kept the finding secret until a year after, when on 16 November 2018, was communicated that the submarine was found.{{Cite web|last=Rodríguez|first=Carlos|title=ARA San Juan: la Armada sabía dónde estaba hundido veinte días después de la implosión {{!}} Uno de los imputados declaró que ocultaron la información casi un año|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/304365-ara-san-juan-la-armada-sabia-donde-estaba-hundido-veinte-dia|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-21|website=PAGINA12|date=7 November 2020 |archive-date=9 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209221829/https://www.pagina12.com.ar/304365-ara-san-juan-la-armada-sabia-donde-estaba-hundido-veinte-dia}}

During the last days of his tenure as President, allegations of electoral fraud and subsequent protests occurred in Bolivia, leading to the 2019 Bolivian political crisis. This caused President Evo Morales to resign and the military and police of Bolivia clashed with pro-Morales protesters, resulting in dozens of deaths from the engagement. The government of Macri immediately recognized the legitimacy of the interim presidency of Jeanine Áñez and denied Morales asylum and also blocked Argentine air space for Morales's airplane to fly over Argentina in the bid to escape Bolivia to seek asylum in Mexico.{{cite news |last1=MRT |title=Bolivia accuses former Argentine president Mauricio Macri of collaborating with the removal of Evo Morales |url=https://marketresearchtelecast.com/bolivia-accuses-former-argentine-president-mauricio-macri-of-collaborating-with-the-removal-of-evo-morales/97742/ |access-date=10 July 2021 |agency=Market Researcher Telecast |date=9 July 2021 |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710130407/https://marketresearchtelecast.com/bolivia-accuses-former-argentine-president-mauricio-macri-of-collaborating-with-the-removal-of-evo-morales/97742/ |url-status=live }} In July 2021, Bolivian Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta accused the Macri's government of providing weaponry to the Bolivian security forces which engaged in the Senkata and Secaba massacres. In the report, the government of Luis Arce (who succeeded Áñez) also denounced Security Minister of Macri, Patricia Bullrich, and other officials for the conflict.

The denounciation was based on a thank you letter from aviation general Jorge Gonzalo Terceros Lara. Lara denounced that the letter was a forgery, and that he resigned on 13 November 2019, the same day the alleged letter was sent.{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/el-excomandante-boliviano-involucrado-en-la-denuncia-por-el-envio-de-armamento-desde-la-argentina-nid09072021/|title= El excomandante boliviano involucrado en la denuncia por el envío de armamento desde la Argentina afirma que la carta es "falsificada"|trans-title= The former Bolivian commander involved in the denounce for a shipment of weapons from Argentina claims the letter is falsified|language= Spanish|author= Ruben Guillemi|date= 9 July 2019|newspaper= La nación|access-date= 7 July 2021|archive-date= 9 July 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210709162330/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/el-excomandante-boliviano-involucrado-en-la-denuncia-por-el-envio-de-armamento-desde-la-argentina-nid09072021/|url-status= live}} His lawyer also pointed that anti-riot weapons would be useless for the aviation military, and would have made no sense for Lara to request them. Former chancellor Karen Longaric pointed as well that if the shipment arrived in Bolivia the same day that Añez became president, it would have had to be prepared and sent while Morales was still president. Longaric also pointed that, regardless of the wording, the letter does not mention war weapons but just police weapons, whose trade between nations in good standing is regular and non-controversial.

His first wife was Ivonne Bordeu, daughter of race-car driver Juan Manuel Bordeu. They had three sons: Agustina, Jimena and Francisco. After they divorced, Macri married model Isabel Menditeguy in 1994; Macri's father Franco requested a prenuptial agreement. Although the marriage reached a crisis when Macri became chairman of Boca Juniors, they did not divorce until 2005. He began a romance with María Laura Groba which did not lead to marriage. Macri left Groba in 2010, after which began a relationship with businesswoman Juliana Awada{{cite news|date=22 November 2015|title=Las bellas mujeres que fueron pareja de Mauricio Macri|language=es|trans-title=The beautiful women who were a couple of Mauricio Macri|newspaper=Clarín|url=https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/bellas-mujeres-pareja-Mauricio-Macri_0_H1CxltvQx.html|access-date=1 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122233943/http://www.clarin.com/sociedad/bellas-mujeres-pareja-Mauricio-Macri_0_H1CxltvQx.html|archive-date=22 January 2017|df=dmy-all}} and married Awada that year. At the wedding reception, he wore a fake moustache as part of his impersonation of singer Freddie Mercury. Macri accidentally swallowed the moustache, and Minister of Health Jorge Lemus performed first aid to save his life.{{cite news|date=22 November 2010|title=Macri, se tragó el bigote y se vivieron momentos de pánico en su casamiento|language=es|trans-title=Macri, swallowed a mustache and lived moments of panic at his wedding|newspaper=El Intransigente|url=http://www.elintransigente.com/argentina/2010/11/22/macri-trago-bigote-vivieron-momentos-panico-casamiento-62061.html|access-date=5 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011185653/http://www.elintransigente.com/argentina/2010/11/22/macri-trago-bigote-vivieron-momentos-panico-casamiento-62061.html|archive-date=11 October 2017|df=dmy-all}}{{cite magazine|author=Moore, Jack|date=11 December 2015|title=Who is Mauricio Macri, Argentina's New President?|url=http://www.newsweek.com/who-mauricio-macri-argentinas-new-president-403465|magazine=Newsweek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231072909/http://www.newsweek.com/who-mauricio-macri-argentinas-new-president-403465|archive-date=31 December 2016|access-date=5 May 2017|df=dmy-all}} He is a very good bridge player and represented Argentina at the 45th World Bridge Team Championships in 2022.{{Cite web |url=https://newswep.com/news/mauricio-macri-made-his-debut-in-the-bridge-world-championship-how-did-the-former-president-do/ |title=newswep |access-date=4 April 2022 |archive-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711193827/https://newswep.com/news/mauricio-macri-made-his-debut-in-the-bridge-world-championship-how-did-the-former-president-do/ |url-status=dead }}

{{notelist}}

• {{flag|Argentina}} : Grand Master of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín{{cite news|url= https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/en-que-consiste-la-orden-del-libertador-san-martin-que-le-retiraron-a-maduro-nid2052125|title= En qué consiste la Orden del Libertador San Martín que le retiraron a Maduro|trans-title= What is the Order of the Liberator General San Martín that they took from Maduro|language= es|date= 11 August 2017|newspaper= La Nación|access-date= 23 April 2019|archive-date= 27 August 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200827193145/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/en-que-consiste-la-orden-del-libertador-san-martin-que-le-retiraron-a-maduro-nid2052125|url-status= live}}
• {{flag|Argentina}} : Grand Master of the Order of May{{cite web|url= https://fido.palermo.edu/servicios_dyc/blog/docentes/trabajos/16153_52462.pdf|title= Orden de Mayo|trans-title= Order of May|language= es|publisher= University of Palermo|access-date= 23 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190423182813/https://fido.palermo.edu/servicios_dyc/blog/docentes/trabajos/16153_52462.pdf|archive-date= 23 April 2019|df= dmy-all}}

• {{flag|Brazil}}: Grand Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross, awarded by Michel Temer{{cite news|url=http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/internacional/noticia/2017-02/brazil-and-argentina-agree-move-closer-pacific-alliance|title=Brazil and Argentina agree to move closer to Pacific Alliance|work=Agência Brasil|date=7 February 2017|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213002247/http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/internacional/noticia/2017-02/brazil-and-argentina-agree-move-closer-pacific-alliance|archive-date=13 February 2017}}
• Grand Collar of the Order of Industrial Merit of São Paulo, awarded by the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo{{cite news|url=http://www.powernoticias.com/index.php/internacionales/item/40876-macri-recibio-una-condecoracion-en-brasil-industriales-prometen-%E2%80%9Cretorno-de-operaciones%E2%80%9D|title=MACRI RECIBIO UNA CONDECORACION EN BRASIL: Industriales prometen "retorno de operaciones"|work=powernoticias|date=4 December 2015|language=es|access-date=29 July 2016|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095108/http://www.powernoticias.com/v3/index.php?show=internacionales%2Fitem%2F40876-macri-recibio-una-condecoracion-en-brasil-industriales-prometen-%E2%80%9Cretorno-de-operaciones%E2%80%9D|url-status=live}}
• {{flag|France}}: Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, awarded by François Hollande{{cite news|url=http://www.infobae.com/2016/02/25/1792673-francois-hollande-argentina/|title=François Hollande en Argentina|work=infobae|date=2016|language=es|access-date=3 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104080243/http://www.infobae.com/2016/02/25/1792673-francois-hollande-argentina/|archive-date=4 November 2016}}
• {{flag|Italy}}: Grand Officer of Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, awarded by Giorgio Napolitano{{cite news|url=http://www.urgente24.com/3510-macri-recibio-una-condecoracion-enviada-por-berlusconi|title=Macri recibió una condecoración enviada por Berlusconi|work=urgente24|date=2011|language=es|access-date=29 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920053059/http://www.urgente24.com/3510-macri-recibio-una-condecoracion-enviada-por-berlusconi|archive-date=20 September 2016}}
• {{flag|Italy}}: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, awarded by Sergio Mattarella{{Cite web |url=http://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/317538/ |title=Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana |access-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119010942/http://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/317538/ |archive-date=19 November 2018 }}
• {{flag|Japan}} Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum{{Cite web|title=外国人叙勲受章者名簿 平成29年 (Gaikokujin jokun jushōsha meibo Heisei 29-nen)|trans-title=Non-Japanese Honoree, 2017|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ms/po/page25_000707.html|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|language=ja|archive-date=20 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120200654/https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ms/po/page25_000707.html|url-status=live}}
• {{flag|Mexico}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the Aztec Eagle, awarded by Enrique Peña Nieto{{cite news|url=http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/nacional/macri-recibira-la-orden-de-aguila-azteca.html|title=Macri recibirá la Orden de Águila Azteca|work=elfinanciero|date=29 July 2016|language=es|access-date=29 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729145437/http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/nacional/macri-recibira-la-orden-de-aguila-azteca.html|archive-date=29 July 2016}}
• {{flag|Netherlands}}: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion, awarded by Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands{{cite web|url=http://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/multimedia/album/casas-reales/2017-03-27/maxima-holanda-juliana-awada-macri-rey-visita-argentina_1355855#0|publisher=vanitatis.elconfidencial.com|title=Familia Real de Holanda: Máxima de Holanda, anfitriona de Juliana Awada en su visita de Estado a Holanda. Fotogalerías de Casas Reales|date=27 March 2017|access-date=26 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518104128/http://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/multimedia/album/casas-reales/2017-03-27/maxima-holanda-juliana-awada-macri-rey-visita-argentina_1355855/|archive-date=18 May 2017}}
• {{flag|Norway}}: Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav, awarded by King Harald V{{cite news|url=https://www.casarosada.gob.ar/slider-principal/42161-macri-y-el-rey-harald-v-abogaron-por-afianzar-y-profundizar-la-cooperacion-y-el-intercambio-entre-la-argentina-y-noruega|title=El Rey Harald V y la Reina Sonja en Argentina|work=Casa Rosada|date=2018|language=es|access-date=7 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012214622/https://www.casarosada.gob.ar/slider-principal/42161-macri-y-el-rey-harald-v-abogaron-por-afianzar-y-profundizar-la-cooperacion-y-el-intercambio-entre-la-argentina-y-noruega|archive-date=12 October 2018}}
• {{flag|Spain}}: Knight of the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, awarded by Felipe VI of Spain

{{Cite web |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2017/02/21/pdfs/BOE-A-2017-1772.pdf |title=Boletín Oficial del Estado |access-date=21 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222061918/http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2017/02/21/pdfs/BOE-A-2017-1772.pdf |archive-date=22 February 2017 }}

{{ahnentafel

|collapsed=yes |align=center

|title=Ancestors of Mauricio Macri

|ref={{cite news |last=Artusa |first=Marina |title=Un viaje a los ancestros de los candidatos a presidente |newspaper=Clarín |date=18 October 2015 |url=http://www.clarin.com/viva/Revista_Viva-Daniel_Scioli-Mauricio_Macri-Sergio_Massa-candidatos-Italia-ancestros_0_1451255022.html |access-date=25 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018125654/http://www.clarin.com/viva/Revista_Viva-Daniel_Scioli-Mauricio_Macri-Sergio_Massa-candidatos-Italia-ancestros_0_1451255022.html |archive-date=18 October 2015 }}

|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;

|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;

|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;

|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;

|boxstyle_5=background-color: #9fe;

|1= 1. Mauricio Macri
Tandil, Argentina

|2= 2. Franco Macri
Rome, Italy

|3= 3. Alicia Blanco Villegas
Buenos Aires, Argentina

|4= 4. Giorgio Macri
Polistena, Calabria, Italy

|5= 5. Lea Lidia Garbini
Lazio, Italy

|6= 6. Debilio Blanco Villegas
Ramallo, Buenos Aires

|7= 7. Argentina Cinque

|10= 10. Galileo Garbini
Italy

|11= 11. Erminia Sensini
Italy

|12= 12. Manuel Blanco Suárez
Spain

|13= 13. Adela Villegas
San Nicolás de los Arroyos, Buenos Aires

|14= 14. Antonio Cinque
Italy

|15= 15. Giuseppa Barletta
Italy

|20= 20. Augusto Garbini
Italy

|21= 21. Giuseppa Rocchini
Italy

|24= 24. José Blanco
Spain

|25= 25. Josefa Suárez
Spain

|26= 26. Casiano Villegas
Spain

|27= 27. Juana Leandra Centurión
Villeta, Paraguay

|28= 28. Vincenzo Cinque
Italy

|29= 29. Candida Castellucci
Italy

|30= 30. Leonardo Barletta
Italy

|31= 31. Carmen Filomeno
Italy

}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |last= (several authors)|date= November 2015|title= Todo Macri: vida, poder y secretos del nuevo presidente|location= Argentina|publisher= Perfil}}
• {{cite book |last= Novaro|first= Marcos|date= 2017|title= El Caso Maldonado|location= Argentina|publisher= Edhasa|language=es|isbn= 978-987-628-470-7}}

{{Commons}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [http://www.casarosada.gob.ar/ Office of the President] {{in lang|es}}
• [http://www.mauriciomacri.com.ar/ Mauricio Macri's Official Website]
• [https://www.facebook.com/mauriciomacri/ Official Facebook]
• [http://www.citymayors.com/mayors/buenos-aires-mayor.html CityMayors profile]
• [http://www.cidob.org/biografias_lideres_politicos/america_del_sur/argentina/mauricio_macri Biography by CIDOB] (in Spanish)

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