Baton and sash at center of presidential spat in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A growing spat between Argentina's outgoing president and president elect over inauguration day logistics took a strange turn on Friday, with the silversmith responsible for crafting a ceremonial baton saying an assistant was threatened by possible police action.

The brouhaha, which has many Argentines shaking their heads, deepened on the same day that President-elect Mauricio Macri visited neighboring Brazil, his first head-of-state visit since being elected Nov. 22.

Macri wants to receive the presidential baton and sash from outgoing President Cristina Fernandez in the government house, or Casa Rosada, during the Dec. 10 inauguration.

Fernandez, a populist leader who publicly criticizes her opponents, has dominated the political landscape the last 12 years: initially as first lady during the administration of late husband Nestor Kirchner, and the last eight as president herself.

News columnists and social media pundits have speculated that Macri will refuse to bow to Fernandez, and will simply put on his own presidential sash or ask a top official in his administration to do it.