Fernando de la Rúa

Fernando de la Rúa (Spanish pronunciation: [feɾˈnando ðe la ˈrua] ; 15 September 1937 – 9 July 2019) was an Argentine politician who served as the president of Argentina from 1999 until his resignation in 2001. A member of the Radical Civic Union, he previously served as national senator for Buenos Aires across non-consecutive terms from 1973 to 1996, national deputy for Buenos Aires from 1991 to 1992, the first Chief of Government of Buenos Aires between 1996 and 1999, and president of the National Committee of the Radical Civic Union from 1997 to 1999.

De la Rúa was born in Córdoba, and entered politics after graduating with a degree in law. He was elected senator in 1973 and unsuccessfully ran for the office of vice president as Ricardo Balbín's running mate the same year. He was re-elected senator in 1983 and 1993, and as deputy in 1991. He unsuccessfully opposed the pact of Olivos between President Carlos Menem and party leader Raúl Alfonsín, which enabled the 1994 amendment of the Argentine Constitution and the re-election of Menem in 1995. He later became the first chief of government of Buenos Aires to be elected by popular vote, a change introduced by the amendment of the constitution. He expanded the Buenos Aires Underground, adding new stations to Line D, starting the expansion of Line B, and establishing Line H. He established Roberto Goyeneche Avenue and the city's first bicycle path.

De la Rúa was elected president in the 1999 general election, after running on the Alliance ticket, a political coalition of the UCR and the Frepaso. He was opposed by the Peronist unions, and his vice president, Carlos Álvarez, resigned after denouncing bribes in the Senate. The economic crisis that began during Menem's administration worsened, and by the end of 2001, it had led to a banking panic. The government established the Corralito to limit bank withdrawals. De la Rúa called a state of emergency during the December 2001 riots. Following his resignation on 20 December, the Argentine Congress appointed a new president. After leaving office, de la Rúa retired from politics and faced legal proceedings for much of the remainder of his life until his death in 2019.