mauricio macri, mayor of buenos aires, was elected president in the 2015 presidential elections, defeating the kirchnerite candidate daniel scioli in a ballotage. during the transition period, macri reported that kirchner was creating obstacles and problems in an attempt to undermine his government. she changed the 2016 budget, increasing spending in several areas (even the broadcasting of soccer matches), despite the huge fiscal deficit. a number of kirchnerite officials refused to resign their offices to allow macri to appoint his own people. even the handover ceremony became controversial, as kirchner refused to attend it. it was the first time since the end of military rule in 1983 that the outgoing president did not hand over power to the incoming one.