The Supreme Court of the Christian Democracy (DC) resolved during this day the complaints against the former president Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle and against the senators ximena rincon and Matthias Walker for supporting the “Rejection” option in the past constitutional plebiscite, going against what was decided by the party that went for “Approve”.
Specifically, the body decided to acquit the former president, while the senators were officially expelled. To remember that both are already forming the ranks of the new political party “Democrats”.
Complaint
The denunciation was carried out by the militants of the DC, Robert Alvarado and Guido Iturriaga last July against Eduardo Frei, the ex-conventional Fuad Chain and the parliamentarians Matías Walker and Ximena Rincón, for going against what was decided by the National Board, who supported the “Approval” in the plebiscite that saw the future of the text written by the former Constitutional Convention. Those denounced through a letter affirmed that they were going for the “Rejection”, something that was described as “aggravating action” by the complainants who demanded “the maximum sanctions”.
Determination
Despite this, the members of the Supreme Court determined on February 13 to reject the expulsion of the former President of the Republic, indicating that, “in consideration of this court, the mere manifestation of a personal option cannot be considered by itself an activity contrary to statutory duties”.
Therefore, it was decided to reject the complaint and expulsion in the case of Frei, arguing that he did not participate in propaganda activities or political campaign contrary to the agreement adopted by the PDC National Board. In addition, “no public record can be found that in his expressions he has gone beyond issuing his opinion for this option in the exercise of his freedom of conscience.”
The opposite fate ran the senators Ximena Rincón and Matías Walker, who were officially expelled from the party. Despite the fact that both resigned last October 22 to form Democrats.
In this regard, the Court stated: “They did actively participate in campaigning and propaganda activities for the Rejection option, an issue that cannot be considered as the mere manifestation of a personal choice, but rather an activity openly contrary to the statutory duties.”
In addition, they added that “the actions of the accused Ximena Rincón and the accused Walker and Chahín are undoubtedly aggravated by the high positions they have held in the party and in high positions of popular representation to which they arrived sponsored and supported by the match”.
Given this, the body determined the expulsion of the senators, ordering the elimination of all their party records. Fuad Chahin was not punished, since he was previously sent off.
Inscription of Andrés Palma Irarrazabal
In other news, the community announced the registration of Andres Palma Irarrazabal for the election of the Constitutional Council in the Metropolitan region. Besides, Nicolas Preuss Herrerawill assume the position of national coordinator of the campaign to the Constitutional Council.
Read the full statement here
