Fernando de la Rúa
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| Fernando de la Rúa | |
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| In office December 10, 1999 – December 21, 2001 |
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| Vice President | Carlos Álvarez(1999-2000) None(2000-2001) |
| Preceded by | Carlos Menem |
| Succeeded by | Ramón Puerta |
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| In office August 6, 1996 – December 9, 1999 |
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| President | Carlos Menem |
| Preceded by | Jorge Domínguez (mayor of City of Buenos Aires) |
| Succeeded by | Enrique Olivera |
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| Born | September 15, 1937 Córdoba |
| Nationality | Argentinean |
| Political party | Radical Civic Union/Alliance |
| Spouse | Inés Pertiné |
| Profession | Lawyer |
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Fernando de la Rúa (born September 15, 1937) is an Argentine politician. He was president of the country from December 10, 1999 to December 21, 2001 for the Alliance for Work, Justice and Education (a political alliance of the Radical Civic Union and Frepaso).
Born in the city of Córdoba, he attended the local Military Lyceum before entering the National University of Córdoba, from which he obtained his law degree. De la Rúa became involved in politics at a young age. He first appeared in the political arena during the 1973 elections, when he was elected to the Senate, representing the city of Buenos Aires. A few months later he ran for the Vice Presidency along with the veteran politician Ricardo Balbín on the Radical ticket. His youth (running for Vice President at the age of 36) earned him the still-standing nickname of "Chupete" ('Pacifier' or 'Dummy'), as he was perceived as a "baby" in politics.
After the democratic restoration in 1983 De la Rúa was elected to the Chamber of Deputies and once again ran for the Senate in 1989. He actually won the popular vote, but was outmanoeuvered in the Electoral College by the alliance between the Justicialist Party and the Ucedé.
De la Rúa's government was characterized by an ongoing economic crisis, continuous fights and rivalries between the coalition partners, cabinet crises, a general sensation of inaction and a failure to tackle corruption. One of his last acts in office was to ban extraditions for human rights violations.[1] His lack of charisma and his slow demeanor (perceived as stupor) hurt his public image. [2]
He was finally forced out of office by the popular demonstrations in the midst of the December 2001 riots, the financial crisis, and the growing popular unrest, which took form under the rallying cry of the Argentine people: ¡que se vayan todos! ("away with them all!") – referring to the governing class. His last Economic Minister was Domingo Cavallo who had been also Carlos Menem's minister.
News reported October 23, 2007, that De la Rúa was legally accused of manslaughter in connection with bloody street riots in 2001.[3]
[edit] References
| Preceded by Carlos Menem |
President of Argentina 1999–2001 |
Succeeded by Ramón Puerta |
| Preceded by (none) |
Chief of Government of Buenos Aires 1996–1999 |
Succeeded by Enrique Olivera |
