The absence of the Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency is one of the recurring themes heard in Congress and in La Moneda. It is that after 34 days of absence they attract attention and even more now that there is a bulky legislative agenda in which the minister has not participated. A concern of the socialist party, apart from the minister’s health, is that Ana Lya Uriarte is part of the political committee and, if she is unable to continue attending, the PS would lose an important seat in President Boric’s political committee.
The last event in which the minister was the protagonist was after the rejection of the tax reform and, before, during the change of command, she was seen hugging the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonia Urrejola after she was removed from office. After the rejection of the tax reform, the minister has presented three consecutive medical licenses due to a picture of anemia and respiratory complexities that have been dragging on since December 31, when she was infected with covid-19.
It’s never a good time to be away, but this is definitely one of the most compromising times. With the agreement of 31 security bills that will enter Congress, the Currency has its negotiating card in the bank of substitutes and, as the presidents of the chambers warn, this agreement is a prioritization of matters, which does not mean that it is not there will be a debate.
There is not much clarity regarding the near future of Ana Lya Uriarte. That is why the PS has been evaluating different scenarios for at least two weeks so as not to lose that place in the political committee, according to El Mercurio.
One option is for the current undersecretary of the interior, Manuel Monsalve (PS), to be Uriarte’s replacement in Segpres. It is that Monsalve enjoys a good evaluation, parliamentary experience and the ability to negotiate with the opposition. In addition, it was a real option that almost materialized on September 6. Change that was frustrated after the revelation of Nicolás Cataldo’s tweets.
One con, however, is that Monsalve appears as one of the main characters who support the Executive’s security agenda. Other options, according to El Mercurio, would be the former president of the Senate Álvaro Elizalde, José Miguel Insulza or Isabel Allende. However, these last two do not seem to be close to reaching office. Insulza would not be available and Allende does not meet the profile.
Now, the other concern for the PS is the great performance that Macarena Lobos is doing as Uriarte’s replacement as deputy minister. Lobos has worked as a legislative adviser to the DC, PPD and PS and even coordinated the program of former presidential candidate and senator Yasna Provoste. Within Congress, she highlights her dialogue style and her legislative knowledge. In addition, she has managed to establish links in both chambers. Her work shone among parliamentarians after negotiating the Naín-Retamal Law and the movements she made to avoid the approval of the car loan.
According to voices within the Congress, Lobos has achieved a “spectacular” job and even, some warn, that it is more practical and present than Uriarte. Comment that worries the PS because Lobos is not part of the party and, given his good work, he could occupy the position within the political committee.
