The former Minister of Finance, Ignacio Briones (Evópoli), lives today an experience that in Congress has led to months of controversy. He, being from the opposition, is a member of the Educational Reactivation Commission, an initiative promoted by the government of Gabriel Boric regarding the different problems that the return to classrooms after the pandemic revealed. From that sidewalk, he calls on his co-religionists to “try to turn the page, at least in part, on the mistrust of the government.”
In an interview with the newspaper Third, The president of the board of the Center for Horizontal Studies, referred to the political contingency, the tension between the Government and the opposition, the risks that are projected with the constitutional accusations and the need to resume dialogue. “I understand the opposition’s discomfort because if you are at a table to generate measures to combat crime, violence, it is incompatible with pardoning criminals. But having said that, I hope that this space for dialogue is resumed, because it is the first priority Chileans, and we have done little or nothing, he said.
Regarding the mood and tone that the opposition has had towards the government, he thinks that “Chile Vamos, in its tone, in its form and in its actions, has been, in my opinion -perhaps it is a biased view- infinitely more collaborative than what They were the ones who govern us today when they were the opposition”. He says this based on the recent constitutional accusations and the nine constitutional accusations suffered by the government in which he participated: “Those of us who have seen how this affects relations, and how it degrades democracy, should be the first to understand that This instrument has to be an ultima ratio and used on its merit, on a legal merit”
In addition, he warns that there is a risk in the vice that is behind this tool, because “we have to realize that this use and abuse is deteriorating democracy. Those of us who believe in it, have to protect it,” he says.
That is why he believes that from his sector it is important that leaders appear who have “the ability to turn the page”, at least in part, he says, “distrust towards the government in order to achieve degrees of reasonable understanding I’m not saying they’re going to celebrate every day together, but it’s leaving behind what shocks our emotions and wondering based on reason how to project the Chile we need.”
After being asked if he believes that the spirit of building bridges is genuine, Briones explains that, regardless of the intentions behind it, he needs to build bridges because “he does not have a majority in any of the chambers.” In any case, he warns that calling for agreements is always welcome, but President Boric, “unlike his coalition, was involved in two important agreements,” recalls the former minister.
In addition, he acknowledges that “The one on November 15, in which he was very brave, cost him criticism from his sector and political sanctions. And he was also at the table for children that President Piñera convened, which shows a natural intention to plead for agreements”. However, he is clear in saying that “good intentions are not enough” and that “the underlying problem is one of rules.”
