He and Rousseff worry over Venezuelan elections, says Argentine president-elect

After a meeting with President Dilma Rousseff lasting for about half an hour, Argentine elected President Mauricio Macri reported, in a press conference, that she was "very peaceful". The meeting with Macri was the president's first official appointment with someone outside her government since Lower House Speaker Eduardo Cunha decided to initiate the impeachment proceedings on Wednesday (Dec. 2).

According to Macri, Rousseff explained Brazil's political situation to him and said she will continue working during proceedings, including on Mercosur issues.

"It became clear that [these] are parallel cases. It is clear to me that, if Brazil improves [its situation], Argentina will improve and vice-versa. Thus, we need to work together 24 hours a day, whatever happens. We are working to create better opportunities for Brazilian and Argentine [peoples]," said the elected president.

Macri also said that the internal political tension in Brazil does not relate to Argentina and that he trusts in the country's democratic history. "It is a strong, solid country that has showed over the past decades a systematic consolidation of the democratic system."

Venezuela

Brasília - A presidenta Dilma Rousseff recebe a futura chanceler da Argentina Susana Malcorra e o presidente eleito, Mauricio Macri, no Palácio do Planalto. (Elza Fiúza/Agência Brasil)Elza Fiúza/Agência Brasil

Elected last November 22nd, after defeating President Cristina Kirchner's candidate, Macri announced that he will call for the use of Mercosur's "democratic clause" to demand the exclusion of Venezuela from the trade bloc. Dilma Rousseff has already expressed to oppose the proposal and said that the provision could only be used if there is enough evidence, it cannot be base on hypothetical grounds.

"I do not think that we adopt such different positions. Both countries, both leaders, both government's teams have an irrefutable commitment to democracy, to human rights and freedom. We will monitor the situation on the 6th because there is a huge tension in Venezuela. We hope democracy wins," he reported. "There is a concern and, of course, each [of us] expressed it in a different style, a different way, but deep down, we share the same values, this is unarguable," he added.

Inauguration in Argentina

Macri will take office next Thursday (Dec. 10) and Rousseff will attend the ceremony in Buenos Aires. On the same day, both presidents will have a bilateral meeting to discuss again the Venezuelan situation, but this time aware of the election results on Sunday. According to the president-elect, both governments will begin to arrange Rousseff's state visit to Argentina, accompanied by ministers and a delegation of executives.

The president-elect came to Brasília accompanied by a retinue including Argentine government's future Chief of Staff Marcos Peña, and new Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra. Argentine Ambassador in Brazil Luis Maria Kreckler has also attended the meeting at Palácio do Planalto, the presidential office.

Argentine officials were welcomed by Rousseff alongside Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira; Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Minister Armando Monteiro; Brazil's Ambassador in Argentina Everton Vieira Vargas; and General-Secretary of South and Central America and the Caribbean Paulo Estivallet, of Brazil's Foreign Ministry.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta