From Washington to Banco Nación, as was the last day of Batakis at the helm of the Economy

While positively evaluating his tour of Washington and about to embark for Buenos AiresSilvina Batakis has read on the main news portals the possible arrival of Sergio Massa to the Government and that his continuity at the helm of the Ministry of Economy was unknown. She was more than surprised. They say they couldn’t believe it. With the spirit on the floor, Batakis returned to the country this Thursday amid a wave of versions about changes in the government.

Just over three weeks after taking over the leadership of the Palacio de Hacienda (24 days to be exact), Batakis spent the entire flight working out the steps to follow. When she arrived in Ezeiza, her future was still uncertain, much less the officials who accompanied her in her brief management: the Secretary for Economic Policy, Karina Angeletti (on her right), the Secretary of Internal Commerce Martín Pollera, the Treasury Secretary, Martín Di Bella and Finance, Eduardo Setti.

until the afternoon, Batakis remained in his office with his cabinet until the appointment of the head of the Chamber as super-minister who will control the ministries of Economy, Production and Agriculture, “also including relations with international, bilateral and multilateral credit organizations” was formalized. Hours earlier, the president, Alberto Fernández, asked him to remain in government and not to resign. It was later confirmed that he will head the Banco Nación.

Dark and disconcerting day for the new former minister. As soon as he returned to Argentina and with the hive of versions on a possible reconfiguration and total shrinkage of the national cabinet, Batakis went first to the Ministry and then to the Casa Rosada to hold a 2-hour meeting with the president. Eventually, he met his team and made it known that he was “silent and constant” According to some people. until the afternoon, “The scenario is that he is out of office”confided an official source to Clarione.

Batakis arrived a day later than expected due to a flight delay. He traveled to the United States in search of support and trust calm financial and market uncertainty. He held meetings with the head of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, US Treasury adviser David Lipton and also with Wall Street investors. He expressed his availability to everyone reduce the budget deficit and achieve the objectives of the debt agreement.

From the surrounding environment they rated that the tour was positive. Wednesday, Economy managed to capture $ 515.861 million through bonds in pesos, some at a fixed rate, adjusted to inflation and the trend of the dollar, which covered all maturities. However, his arrival in the government in place of the resigning Martín Guzmán did not succeed in appeasing the increase in dollars. Since he took over, the blue ones have accumulated a rise of 25% and the Cash With Liquidation of 20%.

Those who know her say that Batakis did not consider himself a transitional minister. Hence her surprise. At the Casa Rosada, Batakis verbally offered the President his resignation (“he is at his disposal”), but Alberto replied that I wanted him to stay in a role that they decided to define later. It was later confirmed that he will replace Pablo Hecker at the helm of Banco Nación.

Batakis took office on 4 July as Economy Minister. Until Guzmán’s surprise resignation, he was part of the Interior Ministry team led by Eduardo “Wado” de Pedro. “La Griega”, as her close friends know her, was the Minister of Economy in the Buenos Aires government of Daniel Scioli, who today leaves the position of Minister of Development (a management of 43 days) and returns to the Argentine embassy in Brazil.