Prior to the month where the Government’s legislative agenda will be reactivated in the National Congress, the first anniversary of the administration of President Gabriel Boric will be fulfilled, and the Committee of Experts will begin to work to create the new constitutional proposal, the official expectations are high. This was observed in the political committee this Monday, held at the Palacio de La Moneda and led by the Minister of the Interior, Carolina Tohá, because of the President’s vacation.
And it is that the leadership of Minister Tohá within the Government is a fact that her party celebrates, assuming the role that the militant PPD and political scientist has played in key issues such as her applauded defense of Minister Giorgio Jackson, in the midst of his constitutional accusation, and its leading position in the recent emergency due to forest fires in the south-central zone of the country. This is an element that the store founded by Ricardo Lagos wishes to capitalize on, understanding the interest of several of the Democratic Socialism parties to accumulate greater spaces of influence within La Moneda.
In the PPD they make happy accounts, as commented by the General Secretary of the PPD, José Toro Kemp, what they want to reflect in the next elections of Constitutional Councillors. In fact, he expressed in dialogue with The counter, that the decision to compete on two lists allowed progressivism to diversify its options, with the same objective of promoting a new Constitution and that, for the same reason, it does not believe that this diversification will allow the right to capture enough of the electorate of the center to achieve a victory in the next elections. “Todo por Chile chose to compete on a separate list with the conviction of broadening the social and political base of the ruling party. We must not forget that all the left-wing governments in Chile have been extremely diverse, there are different ways of conceiving progressive ideas and in That diversity lies in our wealth,” said Toro.
—Did you attend the political committee this Monday? What do you think of the leadership that Minister Tohá has within La Moneda? Do you think she has her political experience working for her?
—Minister Tohá is a fundamental pillar within the Government and her work and public evaluation have made it clear. To govern, experience is essential, but, in addition to that, it is key to be pragmatic and strategic. In this, Minister Tohá has key leadership to find viable solutions with existing tools. The maneuvers carried out in the accidents in the south are a very good example of that. The Government responded quickly, in just one week it reduced the sources of fires by more than half and delivered a package with 13 measures of social assistance. In the PPD we greatly admire her work.
—In this preliminary phase of campaigns to elect directors, what is the distinctive element, in discursive terms, with which you intend to identify yourself in this instance? What, in your opinion, distances you ideologically from the list headed by the Broad Front, which managed to withdraw the PS?
—The parties of the government alliance have a quite similar north for the Constitutional Council, starting from the fact that we all agree that the social and democratic State of law is a minimum that we must defend and give an adequate form for its materialization. Now, as the Todo por Chile pact, we are working to build a center-left that embraces social changes, but with moderation, dialogue and without improvisation. If we want to build a stable, long-term country, we must propose a viable framework for the next 50 years and, from the PPD, we are clear that a welfare state can only be achieved with security, economic development and freedoms.
—What are the guidelines of the ruling party in this last week of February, prior to the month in which the Government will complete its first year in office? Do you think there will be greater difficulties in aligning both coalitions, in the heat of the elections and the constituent process?
—The tug of war between the two coalitions ended when it was already final that we would compete on two lists, from that moment the parties are focused on the fact that we must obtain the greatest number of advisers to translate our principles into the new Constitution, so I would play down any drama. rubbing that comes from the constitutional issue. Apart from that, there are problems that as leaders we must take care of now, the Security Agreement is a policy that must be settled no later than April, I still do not understand how in the midst of a security crisis, when crime is the main focus of concern of Chileans, the right comes up with subtracting from the table. I hope that this sector reconsiders and understands that it is an issue from which political gains cannot be obtained.
—What is the PPD’s bet, by once again allying with the DC in the same pact? What do you say about those who think that there is a sector of your party determined to revive the spirit of concertation?
—I believe that no one in the Todo por Chile pact intends to revive a coalition that has completed its political cycle, now, we have a history of two decades in common that allowed governability and development for Chile. When that unites you, it is natural that you choose to reinforce the work with those who you have trusted for a long time. That does not mean at all that the list will be a Concertación 2.0, more than 65% of our candidates belong to a new generation, I myself, who am the party’s general secretary, am 37 years old, and I clearly observe the things that were done right and wrong within our governments.
—Do you not have new information on the eventual change of cabinet that President Boric is preparing? Is the PPD betting on having a greater role within La Moneda?
– Cabinet changes are exclusively presidential power and we will support the direction that the government deems appropriate. President Boric knows that he has all the willingness and support of our ranks.
—Finally, and regarding the possibility that the pro-government idea of competing on two lists ends up having an impact on your expectations, favoring a better electoral result for the right. Who would assume responsibility in this hypothetical scenario?
—It is not appropriate to put yourself in that scenario when energies are focused on defending the principles of equity and social justice, with our legitimate differences and political identities, of course. Todo por Chile chose to compete on a separate list with the conviction of broadening the social and political base of the ruling party. We must not forget that all the leftist governments in Chile have been extremely diverse, there are different ways of conceiving progressive ideas and our wealth lies in that diversity.
