Lawmakers from the Socialist Party (PS) have filed a formal request with the Comptroller General's Office to investigate the alleged misuse of public funds during a gathering hosted by President José Antonio Kast at La Moneda. The event, which brought together former classmates from the Catholic University, featured a menu including tartare, red wine, mashed potatoes, and shredded beef.
According to BioBioChile, the complaint alleges that the event took place during working hours and utilized institutional staff. Parliamentarians have called for an investigation into the use of state funding, the guest list, the costs incurred, and whether any reimbursements were made.
The lawmakers criticized the use of the presidential palace for private matters, noting that such actions occur amid an ongoing economic crisis.
Opposition coordinates strategy against legislative reform
Alongside the administrative complaint, political opposition leaders met this Monday at the Socialist Party headquarters to forge a unified narrative against the measures implemented during the first month of Kast’s administration. The meeting, led by Senator Paulina Vodanovic and Vice President Arturo Barrios, included leadership from the Broad Front (FA), the Communist Party (PC), and Acción Humanista.
The meeting also brought together opposition mayors, including Karina Delfino (Quinta Normal), Fares Jadue (Recoleta), and Claudio Castro (Renca). According to La Tercera, the primary focus is the rising cost of living and the upcoming introduction of the "National Reconstruction" reform to Congress.
This 40-point reform includes tax adjustments, changes to educational benefits, and public security measures. In an interview with La Tercera, the Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, José García Ruminot, stated that reducing the corporate tax from 27% to 23% is “non-negotiable” and that “the reform is key to the success of President Kast and his government.”
Meanwhile, Senator Vodanovic criticized the impact of government decisions on local governance. “The decision not to apply the Mepco as it previously existed, along with allowing such significant fuel price hikes, has impacted municipalities. Each municipality, in turn, must cover its own costs—for example, for municipal vehicles, which are so important and valued by the public. Today, they no longer have the budget they once had to patrol their districts,” the Socialist leader stated.
