Former First Lady Marta Larraechea has launched a scathing attack on Socialist Party lawmakers Daniella Cicardini and Daniel Manouchehri following their criticism of a luncheon hosted by President José Antonio Kast at La Moneda Palace. The exchange took place Tuesday on X (formerly Twitter), amid an ongoing investigation by the Comptroller General of the Republic into the use of public facilities and resources.
Larraechea described the legislators' behavior as 'crass,' following their allegations that the gathering with former classmates from the Catholic University could constitute a misuse of state funds. “How incredibly crass, the pair of Cicardini and husband, criticizing a meal—a lunch that the President is providing to his friends,” wrote the former wife of Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, according to El Mostrador.
The controversy stems from a meeting held last Friday, where the President hosted former university colleagues for a menu that included braised brisket, rustic mashed potatoes, red wine, and tomato tartare, according to details reported by BioBioChile.
Comptroller Investigation
Senator Cicardini, Representative Manouchehler, and Representative Nelson Venegas have filed a formal request with the Comptroller General to rule on the event. The Socialist Party lawmakers argue that the presidential palace should not be used for private purposes, using phrases such as 'La Moneda is not his estate' and 'the palace cannot be his backyard barbecue,' as reported by El Mostrador.
In response to these allegations, the Comptroller General of the Republic has issued an official request to the Presidency for a detailed report. The agency is seeking information regarding the funding of the lunch, the use of La Moneda facilities, and the involvement of institutional staff in organizing the event, El Mostrador reported.
The government has attempted to mitigate criticism regarding the expenditure of resources. Government Spokesperson Mara Sedini stated that all costs associated with the event were covered entirely out of the President's own pocket, according to BioBioChile.
The Comptroller General has granted the Presidential team 10 days to submit the requested documentation, per BioBioChile. This political conflict adds to the history of closeness between Larraechea and the Kast administration; she notably suspended her membership in the Christian Democratic Party (DC) after meeting with the current President during his campaign, as detailed by El Mostrador.
