Housing and Urban Development Minister Iván Poduje has sparked a wave of criticism from center-right political circles after asserting that José Antonio Kast's government does not "rely" on the Chile Vamos coalition. The controversy erupted in response to recent comments by Deputy Diego Schalper (RN), who described the bloc as the political backbone of the current administration.
Poduje's remarks, reported by outlets such as Cooperativa and El Mostrador, were made during an appearance on the podcast "¿Cómo te lo digo?" as a rebuttal to Schalper. The Cabinet Secretary downplayed the coalition's electoral significance, arguing that President Kast won the election independently and would have secured the presidency even without the bloc's support, citing his 7.6 million votes.
Reactions from the Center-Right
Leaders of Chile Vamos reacted harshly to the Minister's comments during meetings held at La Moneda. Evópoli President Luciano Cruz-Coke described Poduje's words as "absolutely counterproductive," noting that ministers should focus on delivering results rather than employing "campaign-style logic."
Similarly, Deputy Ximena Ossandón (RN), Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, was blunt in her demand that the Secretary of State stick to his official duties. "I tell Minister Poduje—with the same affection with which he treats us—to just keep doing his job, which he does very well, but to stay out of matters that are not his concern," the lawmaker stated, according to Cooperativa.
Representing the UDI, Deputy Daniel Lilau called Poduje's remarks "unjust" and warned that such statements undermine the cooperation necessary for the government's success. Likewise, the President-elect of RN, Andrea Balladares, refuted the Minister's thesis, asserting that Chile Vamos does indeed serve as the administration's political foundation, both in parliamentary votes and management expertise.
Poduje also directed criticism toward Evópoli, claiming that members of the party "lack self-criticism" and poking fun at the "inflated egos" of its leaders, a direct jab at the party's former president, Hernán Larraín Matte. Despite the friction, internal cabinet sources consulted by Cooperativa suggest these tensions should not be overblown, as they believe the current governing coalition operates independently of traditional party structures.
