Frondizi, Arturo (1908–1995)

Argentine politician and lawyer; president 1959–62. As president he implemented a programme of economic reforms to stimulate the economy and succeeded in gaining aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to finance economic reforms. His attempts at curbing inflation, however, brought negative effects – particularly in industry, and necessitated military intervention to maintain public order. His apparent laxity with the Peronists caused the army to depose him from the presidency.

Frondizi was educated in law and economics at Buenos Aires University and became a radical deputy in 1946. He was a staunch opponent of Perón and rose in political importance after 1955. Ironically, in the 1958 elections, Frondizi received considerable support from Perónists in return for their re-admittance into political life. In 1962, with the participation of Perónists once again in national elections, Frondizi's military support was undermined when the Perónists gained massive victories. The military, however, invalidated the election results and selected José Guido to assume the presidency, which lasted for 18 months.