Argentina’s fiscal policies also contributed to the crisis. For countries with a fixed exchange rate regime (in particular), it is important to follow counter-cyclical fiscal policies. However, in Argentina fiscal policy was pro-cyclical during the boom period. President De La Rúa, who succeeded Menem in 1999, wanted to tackle the resultant budget deficit of 2.5% of GDP and furthermore promised to start fight the enduring corruption. According to De La Rúa, reducing the deficit would restore confidence in government finances, reduce interest rates and thereby bring back economic growth. The effects of De La Rúa’s policy were however the opposite, as the imposed rise in tax rates only reduced domestic demand, encouraged corruption and did not lead to the necessary reduction of the fiscal deficit. Furthermore, it appeared to be difficult to implement austerity measures on a regional level, as the central government was not able to control local government expenditure. What followed were rising fears for devaluation, which eventually led to the implementation of the Corralito in December 2001.