The presidential team of José Antonio Kast is facing a dual crisis of management and legislative strategy following the departure of Daniel Merino from the Programming Directorate and the Executive's preparations to unveil a massive legislative package this Wednesday.
Merino, who served as the head of programming and production for the Presidency on an unpaid basis, stepped down this Monday. The executive from the production company Bizarro maintained a collaborative relationship with La Moneda without a formal contract, having decided to remain in his role within the entertainment industry.
According to reports from BioBioChile and CNN Chile, Merino's exit followed internal tensions and a social media post that caused friction within the Palace. The producer posted the phrase, “Projects don't fail due to a lack of ideas, but due to an excess of egos,” to his X account, a message he deleted hours later.
Sources close to the presidential circle told BioBioChile that the departure was a result of coordination failures in the planning of official activities. Merino reportedly had friction with key strategic figures, such as advance chief Benjamín Jadue and Chief of Staff Catalina Ugarte.
Parliamentary Negotiation Strategy
Alongside the internal team crisis, the Government is preparing a national broadcast for tomorrow to introduce an omnibus bill that includes a controversial corporate tax cut. La Moneda's strategy aims to negotiate directly with specific opposition members rather than engaging with entire political blocs.
According to El Mostrador, those leading the search for parliamentary support are Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado (UDI), Secretary General of the Presidency José García Ruminot (RN), and Republican Party President Arturo Squella.
The Executive has focused its efforts on the Senate, identifying Socialist Party President Paulina Vodanovic as its primary interlocutor. The Government seeks to capitalize on the distance the Socialist leader maintains from the Communist Party and the Broad Front.
The negotiation plan also includes Alfonso de Urresti, whose potential to preside over the Senate in 2027 positions him as a key player for future appointments to the Supreme Court and the Central Bank. However, the administration is currently keeping the Communist Party, led by Lautaro Carmona, off its negotiation radar.
To consolidate his base, President Kast has a schedule of meetings this Tuesday, including a dinner at Cerro Castillo with his coalition and a breakfast with the Libertarian National Party (PNL), led by Johannes Kaiser.
