Argentina's Fernandez Signs Railway Nationalization Bill
Argentina's Fernandez Signs Railway Nationalization Bill
Cristina Fernandez nationalized Argentine trains May 20, 2015 | Photo: Reuters
Proponents say the move will help the country's economy as rail is more efficient for transport of goods and it will benefit areas outside the capital.
The Argentinian president enacted the law to nationalize trains Wednesday in the Retiro train station.
Launching the newly-nationalized rail network, Fernandez said it was important to “connect the country once and for all,” and said she wanted Patagonia to be accessible by train.
She defended the nationalization and said it was the State's duty to regulate private companies. She said her late husband has the same intention in 2002 and “no one believed him, no one tolerated him.”
In April, the Argentine Senate approved legislation to re-nationalize the country's railway system and boost its efficiency, which had suffered from privatizations during previous governments. The bill, sent to the Senate in March by President Cristina Fernandez, put both passenger and freight service in state hands.
Proponents of the measure, which had almost unanimous support in the legislature, say the move will help the country's economy as the use of rail to transport goods is more efficient and it will benefit areas outside the capital.
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http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Argentinas-Fernandez-Signs-Railway-Nationalization-Bill-20150520-0030.html
