Date of Birth: 28 April 1972 Education: Massa went to primary and secondary school at the Colegio Agustiniano in San Andrés (Buenos Aires). He then studied law at the Belgrano University in Buenos Aires. Public Life: In 1989, at the age of 17, Massa joined the Unión del Centro Democrático (UCéDé). He worked closely with the town councillor of San Martín, Alejandro Keck. He then moved to the Partido Justicialista (PJ), the Peronist party, whose membership includes current president, Cristina Fernández, and which is led by her husband, former president Néstor Kirchner. In 1999 Massa was employed as a social development advisor in Ramon “Palito" Ortega's bid to become vice-president.
In 2002, during the interim government of Eduardo Duhalde, Massa became Executive Director of the National Administration for Social Security (Anses). In 2005 he won a seat representing the PJ in the chamber of deputies; however, following a request from the then president, Néstor Kirchner, he relinquished his seat in order to continue his role with the Anses. During his time as the head of Anses, he reorganised and improved the efficiency of the social security system.
On 10 December 2007, having defeated Acción Comunal candidate in the municipal elections, Massa became Mayor of Tigre. In the same month he became a life-time member of the board at Club Atlético Tigre, the local football club.
Following the resignation of Alberto Fernández, Massa became cabinet chief in the Fernández government on 23 July 2008. Time Line:
1989: Massa joins the Unión del Centro Democrático.
1999: Massa is employed as a social development advisor in Ramon “Palito" Ortega's bid to become vice-president.
2002: Massa becomes Executive Director of Anses.
2005: Massa is elected as a national deputy, but relinquishes his seat to continue working for Anses.
7 December 2007: Massa becomes a life-time board member at Club Atlético Tigre.
10 December 2007: Massa becomes Mayor of Tigre.
23 July 2008: Massa is appointed Cabinet Chief. Weaknesses: Massa, in assuming the position of Cabinet Chief, is taking the place of one Argentina's most respected and influential politicians, Alberto Fernández. Fernández had served as cabinet chief since 2003 and was one of the presidential couple's closest advisers. Julio Blanck, a prominent commentator in Argentina, called him “the engine of the government, who knew how every screw and cog worked".
Massa will have to address a possible split in the government between the “Cristinistas" and the “Nestoristas". The “Nestorista" clique, which continues to dominate the government, includes Florencio Randazzo, the interior minister; Julio De Vido, the minister for planning; Guillermo Moreno, the commerce secretary; Carlos Zannini, legal and technical secretary; and Oscar Parrilli, general secretary of the presidency. This clique holds immense influence with the nation's governors, mayors and trade unionists, the conglomerate of forces that the Casa Rosada needs to control in order to govern. Strengths: At the age of 37, many see Massa as the type of media-friendly politician that can reinvigorate the government and boost its approval ratings. His work with Anses, in particular, has established his credentials as an astute and forward-thinking politician.
Massa is considered close to both Fernández and Kirchner and is therefore well placed to unite the factions within the government. He also has experience of the government, having been included in meetings with the rest of the “inner circle". Massa's position within the government and his relationship with Nestor could enable him to subdue the influence of the “Nestorista" clique.
Prospects: Massa is well placed to prosper as cabinet secretary despite his youth provided that he keeps a low profile. Neither Fernández nor Kirchner will expect him to challenge either their policies or their personnel, and if he does so he can expect to find himself ejected from the government very quickly. He would do well to learn from the example of Martín Lousteau, the young economy minister whom Fernández fired just four months after he took office because he challenged the government's economic policies.
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