The Argentine president asks provincial governors to ignore the Supreme Court’s decision

A measure that increases resources for Buenos Aires could spark a strong conservative candidate for the presidential race against Fernandez and Kirchnerista

EFE/EPA/YOAN VALATArgentine President Alberto Fernandez

In dispute with the Supreme Court l ArgentinaChief of state Alberto Fernandez, he asked the government to ignore the court decision that might change the distribution of public funds in the country and allocate more resources to the capital, Buenos Aires. The most populous and wealthiest in the country, the self-governing city is led by the Conservatives Horacio Rodriguez Larita It receives 1.4% of the total of the so-called Joint Participation Fund from the federal government, an amount that is also distributed among the other 23 Argentine provinces. With the change, the rate should rise to 2.9%, more than double the amount that will be received. According to Casa Rosada’s prediction, about R$550 million additional will be allocated to the capital. Alberto Fernandez wasted no time and said the ruling was political in nature less than a year before the regional elections. The President stated that he would appeal the decision and that he directed state institutions to ignore the decision. Fearing a shortage of supplies in their regions, the governors of 14 provinces declared their support for Fernandez and followed his recommendation. On the other hand, Larita calls for compliance with the law and says that the constitution cannot be trampled upon. Giving more money to Buenos Aires could be a political risk for Fernandez and Kirchnerista. Buenos Aires already elevated Mauricio Macri to the presidency in 2015 and may have a strong candidate for the Casa Rosada in the current mayor’s post. And with her popularity plummeting, it remains to be seen how far Fernandez’s government can sustain its conflict with the Supreme Court.

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*With information from reporter Fabrizio Nietzky