A Situation Briefing teleconference on Argentina’s recent presidential elections and the victory of Buenos Aires mayor Mauricio Macri of the centre-right Cambiemos (Let’s Change) party.

Displacing 12 years of leftist government rule in Argentina, president-elect Macri has vowed to implement sweeping economic and social reforms when he takes office on December 10. The country’s precarious financial situation has worsened in the last few years under President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner: inflation hovers around 30 percent, government coffers are nearly empty, poverty is on the rise, and overseas investors are wary about doing business. Mr. Macri will also be faced with a powerful opposition force in the leftist Peronist movement, which has dominated Argentine politics for decades and will control both houses of Congress. 

Can Mr. Macri implement his economic reforms? Will he be able to successfully maneuver around the powerful Peronist opposition movement? How will his election affect Argentina’s relationship with the United States, and its place in Latin America?

Featuring:

Amb. Noah Mamet, U.S. Ambassador to Argentina

Noah B. Mamet was confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Argentina by the U.S. Senate on December 2, 2014. Ambassador Mamet has been a top advisor to various Democratic presidential candidates and numerous Senate, House and Gubernatorial campaigns. Read more.

Moderator:

Amb. Vilma Martínez, U.S. Ambassador to Argentina (2009 - 2013)

Vilma Martínez served as U.S. Ambassador to Argentina from 2009 to 2013, becoming the first woman to represent the United States in this post. Currently, she serves as President of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, which oversees operations for the Port of Los Angeles. Read more.