A Defining Moment for the Administration
President José Antonio Kast delivers his first State of the Nation address this Monday, June 1, before the National Congress in Valparaíso. The event marks a consolidation point for his administration following a start defined by the struggle to advance his legislative agenda. The ceremony, scheduled for 12:00 p.m. in the Hall of Honor, follows months of governance in which the executive branch has prioritized its so-called “mega-reform” for national reconstruction—a project the president is fighting to unblock in the Senate despite resistance from various sectors.
In an interview with CNN Chile, Kast defended the necessity of pushing the initiative forward, regardless of how narrow the margin might be: “Even if it comes down to a single vote, we must keep moving forward because Chile cannot wait,” he stated. While the president avoided specifying what concessions he might make in the Upper House, he acknowledged that a period of greater dialogue is beginning. The administration’s strategy, he maintained, is to recover economic growth by lowering the corporate tax rate from 27% to 23%, a measure he justifies as a necessary correction to the country's declining tax competitiveness.
Tax Policy and Security
Regarding tax policy, the head of state flatly ruled out raising taxes on high earners. “The logic of rich versus poor, of super-taxes on the super-rich, has never helped any country get ahead,” he declared, reaffirming his focus on attracting investment and strengthening legal certainty.
Monday’s speech also aims to address criticism regarding the lack of concrete results in security, one of the pillars of his campaign. Kast harshly criticized the previous administration of Gabriel Boric, accusing it of a systematic failure to follow the National Public Security Policy. “It is clear that it satisfied no one and that we are facing a very high level of insecurity. All the indices went up,” he stated, blaming the previous government for the failure to control drug trafficking, organized crime, and immigration.
Prison Reform and Political Tension
On the subject of the prison system, the president confirmed that his administration will move toward a model of “total isolation” and maximum-security measures in various penal facilities. While he stopped short of confirming whether a “mega-prison” project would proceed, he announced that he would present a comprehensive redesign of the entire system. This announcement comes amid internal adjustments following the departure of four key officials from La Moneda’s Commitment Tracking Unit, led by engineer Álvaro Bellolio, as reported by La Tercera.
Monday’s schedule began at 11:00 a.m. with the official cabinet photo, followed by the address to Parliament. To close the day, the president will lead an Expanded Political and Security Committee at Cerro Castillo Palace at 3:30 p.m., followed by meetings with government-aligned lawmakers to align legislative strategy. The day will conclude at 8:00 p.m. with a private meeting between the President and Republican senators to assess the political landscape following his address.
Meanwhile, the political climate remains tense.El Mostradorreports that opposition mayors have organized a “National Summit” to analyze the presidential speech. This gathering contrasts the administration’s “Challenge 90” campaign promise—which pledged 90 initiatives to extend the government’s honeymoon period—with the current reality of an administration that has had to adjust its expectations in the face of a complex and divided Congress.
