Another Resignation Hits Government: Lavagna Departs INDEC
In a significant development amid ongoing dissatisfaction regarding frozen salaries, Marco Lavagna has resigned as the director of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC). His departure follows a substantial tenure that began on December 30, 2019, with backing from President Alberto Fernández and former Economy Minister Martín Guzmán. Lavagna remained in his position even after the inauguration of Javier Milei on December 10, 2023.
Key Changes Implemented by Lavagna
Recently, Lavagna initiated a new Consumer Price Index (IPC) that introduces several important modifications.
Major Reforms in the IPC
- Adoption of the Coicop 2018 classification, aligning with international recommendations.
- Expansion from 12 to 13 divisions in the price index, now including “Insurance and Financial Services.”
- Utilization of the National Household Expenditure Survey (ENGHo) 2017-18 for weighting and selection of items.
- Digital price collection primarily conducted through tablets, allowing for better adaptation to various types of retail businesses.
Geographic Coverage
The new approach also enhances geographical coverage, expanding price observation across 39 clusters and localities. This initiative aims to gather approximately 500,000 monthly price points from over 24,500 retail outlets.
Impact of Lavagna’s Departure
Lavagna’s exit from INDEC comes during a challenging economic climate. The reforms he introduced were seen as a necessary step toward accurately reflecting the impact of price increases on Argentine households.
This change in leadership raises questions about the future direction of the institute and its ability to continue implementing these crucial reforms. The government now faces the task of appointing a new director who can uphold the integrity and progress Lavagna established.
