Daniel Merino, an executive at the production company Bizarro, resigned from his position as Director of Programming at La Moneda on Monday, ending his collaboration with the José Antonio Kast administration. According toLa Tercera, the executive, who served in anad honoremcapacity, had grown increasingly at odds with the presidential advance team at the palace.
Merino, who also serves as the CEO of the Viña del Mar Festival, had previously maintained a smooth working relationship with key figures such as Communications Director Cristian Valenzuela and Communications Chief María Paz Fadel. However, his departure follows growing friction with Head of the Advance Team Benjamín Jadue and Chief of Staff Catalina Uga.
The resignation comes amid reports of internal mismanagement and flaws in the planning of official government activities. Despite his departure, Merino had maintained access to the official presidential delegation, having participated in presidential tours to Arica and Antofagasta this past March.
Legislative Pressure Mounts Over National Reconstruction Plan
Alongside the shakeup in his team, the ruling coalition is pressuring the Executive branch to ensure the "National Reconstruction Plan" includes benefits for the middle class. The project, which President Kast is set to present in a nationwide broadcast this Wednesday, outlines more than 40 measures, including tax adjustments and reconstruction efforts following recent wildfires.
Representative Jorge Alessandri (UDI) criticized the lack of social focus in the current proposal. “I don't see a single one of these 43 measures that gives the middle class a reason to celebrate or that speaks directly to them,” Alessandri stated in an interview with T13 Radio.
The lawmaker suggested that workers should be allowed to deduct healthcare and education expenses from their second-category income taxes. “I see a lot of excitement for large investors and at investment luncheons, but I’m missing one that says, ‘Look, the Chilean worker will be able to deduct, for example, education and healthcare costs from their taxes.’ We need things that go directly to the worker,” he added.
From the Renovación Nacional (RN) party, floor leader Diego Schalper defended the opening of communication channels. Schalper assured that the Treasury team has already received proposals aimed at supporting small businesses and rural sectors.
Chamber Vice President Ximena Ossandón (RN) also stated that the middle class cannot be left out of a plan of this magnitude. Meanwhile, Evópoli Representative Jorge Guzmán echoed the high expectations regarding the project's content.
Amidst these political tensions, the Kast administration is facing a complaint before the Comptroller General of the Republic. The agency is investigating the use of public funds following a private lunch held at La Moneda between the President and former classmates from his law degree at UC.
Attorney Daniel Stingo, a former classmate of the President, clarified that he did not attend the event because he was no longer in contact with the group. “The invitation was organized through a class group chat that I opted out of some time ago. I only found out about all this later. They had to dress up for it,” Stingo explained on BioBioChile’s programLa voz de los que sobran.
Stingo, who describes himself as a critical figure among his peers, recalled the academic atmosphere at the university at that time. “I was a thorn in the side of those who were Pinochetistas. They see me as a traitor,” the lawyer declared regarding his stance toward his former classmates.