Pablo Verani

Pablo Federico Verani (7 February 1938 – 25 September 2013) was an Italian-born Argentine politician, formerly of the Radical Civic Union (UCR) who served as Governor of Río Negro from 1995 to 2003.

His tenure was marked by significant investments in roads, irrigation works, rural electrification, as well as higher subsidies for apple and pear exporters.

Like his successor as governor, Miguel Saiz, Verani is a leading figure in the ranks of those Radicals who support the ruling Front for Victory of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Néstor Kirchner, the so-called Radicales K. Following a struggle to wrest control of the provincial party, Verani and Saiz were expelled from the UCR in December 2007.

He represented Río Negro Province in the Argentine Senate on the Plural Consensus caucus, which supports the Front for Victory, and chaired the Committee on Science and Technology.

Verani announced his support for his erstwhile Vice-Governor, Bautista Mendioroz, to run against Governor Saiz in the UCR primaries ahead the 2011 gubernatorial race.

Verani as Governor of Río Negro.