Augustine Rossi reinvents itself. Head of the block of deputies of Kirchnerism between 2005 and 2013, he was later Defense Minister Cristina Fernández during the last two years of his presidency, a position he repeated with Alberto Fernandez until August 2021, when he left the portfolio to compete for a place as senator from Santa Fe (he was defeated by the formula presented by Governor Omar Perotti, his declared internal rival). But, in another round of recycling, he would return to the presidential orbit in June 2022 as successor to Cristina Caamano at the direction of the Federal Intelligence Agency (AFI). And a little over two weeks ago, he left his place as spymaster to replace Tucuman Juan Manzur as Chief of Cabinet. Tireless.
Mediator
His appointment was a internal gesture to the balance of forces between CFK and the President, as the appointment of Rosario had been two years ago German Martinez, a “rossista”, as a replacement for Máximo Kirchner at the head of the bench of the front of all, after he stepped aside when the agreement with the IMF was voted on. Rossi is one of the few who maintains good dialogue both with the President and his vice, couple that before the inauguration of the ordinary sessions in Congress, this week, had gone nine months without appearing together (see page 20).
In the environment of Alberto Fernández they recognize that the arrival of Rossi generated “very good expectations”. “He has political experience, he is a cadre that has always stood out in Peronism. He was a minister with Cristina and Alberto, and comes from an orderly management at AFI. But the most important thing: he talks with all means and communicates wellis very solvent in that aspect, and that is important at this time, ”explains a source from the Pink House.
Chosen one
Other names had been considered for the since he vacated Manzur, that he returned to his province to participate in the campaign as lieutenant governor. Among them the one of Juan Manuel Olmos, number two from Tucuman and a trusted man of President Alberto Fernández, who preferred to continue in his role and keep a low profile. He also signed up for the ambassador in Brazil, Daniel Scioli, one of those who are pre-candidate to compete in the presidential race. But the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, he would have opposed the aspirations of the former motorboat: it was the referent of the Renewal Front who was responsible for his dismissal at the head of the Ministry of Production when he disembarked as super-minister. Rossi, in opposition, is a name of consensus among the three main shareholders of the Frente de Todos. And this is shown by his first interviews as chief of staff, where he winks at Cristina and Alberto alike.
Elections
“Today, the sentence against Cristina (six years in prison and disqualification for corruption) has proscriptive effects and, therefore, Cristina is proscribed”, declared Rossi on the issue that divides the ruling party: the Minister of Security, Hannibal Fernandezhad denied the ban.
Rossi was also prudent about the operative outcry that is promoted from Kirchnerism to be a candidate: “I think that the logical and reasonable thing, before going to tell Cristina Kirchner what she has to do, or what we want her to do, is go listen to her, let her tell us what she seeshow he sees the situation and what is his role within the political space”, marked, orderly, the civil engineer from Vera.
With the same balance, he gave the right to the re-election of the President: “It is not reasonable that they ask him not to run for re-election. He has a political and constitutional right to be a candidate. He is in a position and is making an enormous effort to manage “said the chief of ministers. “Under any circumstances, there are STEPs and that is what defines“He completed. A center for each side of the official inmate.
As for the PASO, the truth is that Rossi did not claim them in 2019, when he was the first candidate for president of Peronism and should have lowered his candidacy after Cristina crowned Alberto in May of that year. Then, at the request of the couple, he would activate his campaign for senator for Santa Fe in 2021, but would leave angry after an agreement between the President and Perotti, his rival in the province, relegated him.
Despite the anger, he always comes back. He is going for his fourth position as minister, and some are already consulting him about the elections. He disregards: “I do not plan to be a candidate for anything.” It will be seen.
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