President José Antonio Kast will lead a summit with ruling coalition forces this Tuesday at the Cerro Castillo Presidential Palace in Viña del Mar. The primary goal of the meeting is to coordinate the legislative strategy for the so-called “National Reconstruction Plan,” which is set to be officially presented during a nationwide broadcast this Wednesday.
Scheduled for 8:00 PM, the meeting seeks to unify the positions of right-wing parties before a massive reform package is introduced to Congress. The bill, which includes over 40 measures, encompasses tax adjustments, a reduction in bureaucratic red tape, and dedicated funding for areas affected by recent wildfires.
Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz will be responsible for presenting the technical details of the initiative. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado and Presidential Spokesperson José García will welcome the invited party leaders and lawmakers.
Tensions over the middle-class agenda
Despite the call for unity, the coalition is facing internal divisions regarding the content of the reform. Some lawmakers have suggested splitting the legislative package, while others are demanding the inclusion of measures that directly impact the middle class to mitigate the political fallout from corporate tax cuts.
The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Jorge Alessandría (UDI), emphasized the need to include immediate benefits for workers. “I proposed, for example, being able to deduct expenses for health, education, or childcare from second-category tax payments—that is, the taxes paid by salaried employees,” he stated.
In the same vein, Senator Sergio Gahona urged stronger internal coordination to prevent leaks. “Dirty laundry should be washed at home and not through the press; that is what will make for a stronger, more cohesive ruling coalition,” the senator from the Independent Democratic Union (UDI) noted.
Representing the Republican Party, parliamentary leader Benjamín Moreno highlighted that the summit will provide an opportunity to address legitimate differences. “It is good to have spaces for conversation to discuss what may be legitimate differences or legitimate suggestions that exist within the coalition,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, Deputy Agustín Romero, chair of the Finance Committee, argued that economic revitalization inherently benefits this sector. “When housing values drop, when employment is encouraged, and ultimately when investment is attracted to Chile, the middle class is involved in that process,” he affirmed.
Finally, UDI President Guillermo Ramírez warned that the reduction of the first-category tax is a non-negotiable point for his party. “I hope the entire coalition aligns on this,” he concluded.
