A walloping at the polls has led President Mauricio Macri to decree economic relief for poor and working-class Argentines. The measures include an increased minimum wage, reduced payroll taxes, a bonus for informal workers and a freeze in gasoline prices — at least temporarily.
The conservative leader said Wednesday he's acting in recognition of the "anger" Argentines expressed in Sunday's primary election, when Macri trailed his leftist rivals by 15 percentage points. The general election is in October.
In his words, "I've heard what you wanted to tell me on Sunday."
The fuel freeze will last 90 days. Other measures will extend for several months.
Investors frightened by leftist gains sent Argentina's stocks, bonds and currency tumbling.
The currency continued to slip after Wednesday's announcement.
BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday toured flooded regions in the southwest, where rivers have swelled and caused flash floods and landslides after heavy rain and severe weather.
Scholz canceled his attendance at an election campaign event in Saarland, on the border with France, and instead wore rain boots as he walked on a partially flooded road in the village of Kleinblittersdorf together with regional Gov. Anke Rehlinger.
Emergency services have responded to thousands of requests for help in the state capital of Saarbrücken. Several buildings in the city had to be evacuated as houses and cellars were flooded. Cars were partially submerged and streets filled with water. The city set up alternative accommodation in schools and established a hotline for those affected.
There was no immediate information about the exact scale of the damage. No casualties have been reported.
The Moselle and Bas-Rhin regions of eastern France that border Germany also saw rivers burst their banks, flooded streets and roads severed by floodwaters after heavy rains.
Scholz assured the state of Saarland of the federal government's solidarity. “Unfortunately, it is not the first time that we have to manage a big natural disaster and therefore we will of course look at what needs to be done here now and what is necessary,” he told reporters.
Saarland has already implemented first steps to release financial support, the German news agency dpa reported.
The German weather service in the meantime lifted the weather alert for Germany as rain is expected to ease slowly. Authorities in Saarland said such flash flood only happen every 20 to 50 years.
The floodwater of the Moselle river stands in the old town of Cochem, Germany, Saturday, May 18, 2024. The German weather service lifted the weather alert for Germany as rain is expected to ease slowly. (David Young/dpa via AP)
On the flooded L98 road, the town sign of Cochem, Germany, on the Moselle river is in the water, Saturday, May 18, 2024. The German weather service lifted the weather alert for Germany as rain is expected to ease slowly. (David Young/dpa via AP)
The Moselle river overflows its banks in Cochem, Germany, Saturday, May 18, 2024. The German weather service lifted the weather alert for Germany as rain is expected to ease slowly. (David Young/dpa via AP)
The flooded road L98 near Cochem, Germany, on the Moselle river, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Germany, Saturday, May 18, 2024. The German weather service lifted the weather alert for Germany as rain is expected to ease slowly. (David Young/dpa via AP)
Three motorcyclists are traveling on the B49 road, which is under water in Cochem, Germany, Saturday, May 18, 2024. The German weather service lifted the weather alert for Germany as rain is expected to ease slowly. (David Young/dpa via AP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, centre left and Minister President Anke Rehlinger visit Kleinblittersdorf, Germany, which was hit by flooding, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Scholz has toured flooded regions in the southwest, where rivers have swelled and caused flash floods and landslides after heavy rain and severe weather. (Harald Tittel/dpa via AP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets the emergency services who were deployed to help with the Saar floodings in Saarbruecken, Germany, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Helmut Fricke/dpa via AP)
A man makes his way through a flooded road in Lebach, germany, Friday, May 17, 20924. (Harald Tittel/dpa via AP)
The highway entrance to the A620 in Saarbrücken is flooded as heavy continuous rain has caused multiple floods and landslides in Saarland, western Germany, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Laszlo Pinter/dpa via AP)
