Argentine president names new finance secretary

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Argentina appointed a new finance secretary but kept the previous administration's commerce official, whose price controls soured relations with business leaders, the government said on Friday.

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who took office on Monday, named Hugo Secondini to replace Sergio Chodos as finance secretary, a key post as Argentina works to renegotiate some $6.3 billion in defaulted debt to the Paris Club.

In the official gazette, the government also named a new secretary of economic policy and a new treasury secretary.

Guillermo Moreno will remain domestic commerce secretary. He was the previous administration's most controversial figure as the enforcer of price-freeze accords with companies, which were aimed at curbing high inflation.

Although he should report to the economy minister, Moreno often acted independently and local media say he clashed with other government officials.

The president, a career politician and the former first lady, is working with most of the ministers who served under her husband, Nestor Kirchner. Economy chief Lousteau is the most notable exception.

Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernandez is staying on, along with Planning Minister Julio De Vido, who has been portrayed as vying with the economy minister for power.

Among lower-ranking officials, Daniel Cameron will stay on as energy secretary, Ricardo Jaime as transport secretary, Javier de Urquiza as agriculture secretary and Jorge Mayoral as mining secretary. (Reporting by Karina Grazina; Translated by Hilary Burke; Editing by Tom Hals)