Government spokeswoman Mara Sedini is pushing back against mounting criticism from both the opposition and members of the ruling coalition regarding her performance and communication style. Despite low approval ratings and complaints about her absence from congressional hearings, Sedini maintained that she will not change her approach.
"I am the spokeswoman, and I set the style," Sedini said during a radio interview on 13C. She emphasized that her communication strategy is fully aligned with the vision of President José Antonio Kast.
Sedini dismissed the recent wave of negative feedback as a symptom of "political anxiety" rather than a genuine reflection of the government's early tenure. She argued that the cabinet remains composed of the most qualified individuals for their respective roles.
Congressional absences draw fire
The minister has faced specific scrutiny for failing to appear before several congressional committees. While she attributed these absences to scheduling conflicts, the delays have fueled tension with lawmakers.
Opposition deputy Andrea Parra criticized the minister for failing to clarify the government's position on key issues. Meanwhile, Socialist Party deputy César Valenzuela alleged that Sedini’s team has attempted to deflect responsibility by requesting that the undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Government, Juan Francisco Lagos, attend these sessions instead.
Pro-government lawmakers have come to her defense. National Renewal deputy Claudia Mora urged the opposition to focus on their own political failures rather than scrutinizing the spokeswoman’s agenda. Republican deputy Felipe Ross also characterized the criticism as politically motivated, noting that the minister’s explanations have been reasonable.
One of the most pressing issues on Sedini’s desk is the financial crisis facing state-owned broadcaster TVN. The network reported losses totaling 15.5 billion pesos in 2025, with accumulated deficits reaching 115.7 million dollars by the end of the year.
Sedini confirmed that formal negotiations regarding the broadcaster's funding model will begin next week. These talks will involve the new president of the TVN board, attorney Patricio Dussaillant, who is set to take office this Saturday. The minister pledged to appear before the relevant congressional committees as soon as her schedule permits to address these financial concerns.
