BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s president granted vast new power over the nation’s economy Friday to a young firebrand who was the brains behind the takeover of YPF from Spain’s Repsol oil company.

Axel Kicillof is now responsible for managing investments by the state-owned pension agency in private firms — a position that could give him considerable influence with about 30 companies that drive the South American nation’s economy.