Carlos Saul Menem (Menem Carlos Saul)

(p. 1930)
Born July 2, 1930 in Annilako (province of La Rioja), the son of a Syrian immigrant. Graduated from the National University of Cordoba. He became a leading political figure in La Rioja, speaking in 1958 for election to the Senate as the candidate of the Peronist. In 1973, Menem was elected governor of La Rioja. In March 1976 the military overthrew the government of Peron's widow Isabel Peron, and until 1981 Menem was imprisoned. In the 1983 elections was again elected governor of La Rioja, in 1987, was reelected for another term.
In July 1988, Menem was nominated for president peronistskoy Party and won election in May 1989. Menem's government has adopted a liberal policy and differed based on the power of the presidential decrees that infringe the rights of Congress and the judiciary. After the constitutional reforms that Menem was able to run for a second term, he was ok. 50% of votes in elections in July 1995.

In foreign policy, Menem is committed to the political and economic rapprochement with the U.S. and Britain. Menem of Argentina supports economic integration with its partners in Mercosur (South American Common Market, established in 1991) - Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. His other achievements - a significant reduction in the cost of defense, military industry, the restoration of civilian control over the army. In 1998 Menem paid a visit to the UK (first time since the Falklands crisis of 1892).

In the 1994-1995 financial crisis in Mexico and Argentina have reached led to a crisis of the economy and rising unemployment. However, the situation TN. 'menemizma' - a combination of populism with the neoliberal emphasis on market principles - has been strong enough. The situation in the economy continued to deteriorate, and in late 1995 Menem appealed to Congress to grant him emergency powers to speed up reforms. Congress gave him such power in 1996, after which the government raised taxes, accelerated privatization of public enterprises and reduce the number of public servants. In 1997, Menem's party, accused of corruption and rising unemployment in the country, lost the majority in the lower house of Congress. In 1999, Menem lost the presidential election, giving the Alliance Party candidate Fernando de la Rua.