President José Antonio Kast outlined the central pillars of his administration in an interview with CNN Chile, recorded Saturday and aired this Sunday, just hours before his first State of the Nation address to the National Congress. The President focused his announcements on a new prison policy and the urgency of advancing the Miscellaneous Bill, which begins debate in the Senate this Tuesday.
Regarding the legislative reform aimed at boosting economic growth, Kast was emphatic that the country cannot wait. "We have to move forward because Chile cannot wait," he stated, backing Arturo Squella’s stance by warning that if broad consensus cannot be reached, the ruling coalition will seek to pass the bill even by a single vote. When asked about potential concessions, such as reducing tax stability from 25 to 20 years, the head of state avoided committing to changes, prioritizing legal certainty and investment.
In the same interview, the President flatly ruled out moving forward with a bill to increase taxes on the so-called "super-rich." According to Kast, the primary goal is for Chile to return to growth through investment, though he declined to provide details on the negotiations expected during the parliamentary debate.
Security and prison policy
One of the critical points of Monday’s presidential address will be the plan to combat organized crime. Kast acknowledged the management difficulties following the departure of former ministers Sedini and Steinert, admitting on camera that "it’s a different story when you’re the one in charge," but defended the necessity of the changes to unblock his agenda. As reported by El Mostrador, the President maintained that the presence of both officials was hindering progress on the government's strategy, even though a cabinet reshuffle was not initially planned for this stage.
Regarding the prison system, the executive branch is preparing a radical shift. Kast previewed that his speech will address "the whole issue of prison policy," which will outline a national plan for the sector. When asked about the possible suspension of visitation rights for those serving effective prison sentences, the President avoided confirming the measure, but emphasized that his administration is fulfilling its promises "step by step," unlike the previous government.
The President lashed out at Gabriel Boric’s security record, noting that "all the indices went up" and that the previous administration failed to meet any targets regarding immigration, drug trafficking enforcement, organized crime, and neighborhood control. Kast asserted that his government is working to "fine-tune" areas that have faced the greatest difficulties following a complex start to his term.
Succession and the role of Arrau
On the political front, the President made official his interest in ensuring his coalition remains in power after his term ends. When asked if the new Minister of Security, Martín Arrau, is a presidential option, Kast was direct: "I see presidential potential in several people."
According to La Tercera, the President included Arrau—who took over the portfolio following the removal of Trinidad Steinert—on a list of potential successors, stressing that any leader who stands out during his administration has a real chance of running. Arrau’s profile is being watched closely within the ruling coalition; while his capabilities are valued, some internal sources suggest that the Republican leader initially considered the Security post too exposed and risky for someone viewed as one of his political protégés.
