A new political committee took place this Monday in La Moneda. After it was carried out, both the Socialist Party (PS) and the Party for Democracy (PPD) —both united in Democratic Socialism, but divided before the next election of the Constitutional Council— addressed eventual changes in the cabinet of President Gabriel Boric ; an idea that has been circulating for several days as a rumor, and that has been postponed due to the emergency caused by forest fires in the center-south area of the country.
A few days after the Government of President Boric celebrates one year in office —on March 11—, there is expectation in the political parties regarding a possible ministerial adjustment, under pressure from the opposition to make it happen, both due to certain “mess” —for example, in the Foreign Ministry—, as well as due to its proximity to the electoral cycle of the constituent process.
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The president of the PS, Paulina Vodanovic, stressed that all ministers and authorities are constantly under evaluation. “Therefore, the evaluation, when appropriate, will be made by the President,” she said. Thus, according to the socialist helmsman, it will be the President who makes the appropriate decisions. And what corresponds to the parties, she added, “is to be available at the moment to abide by what the President indicates, to make good names available and to show all the necessary flexibility.”
For his part, the general secretary of the PPD, José Toro, although he agreed with Vodanovic’s position, maintained that in the event of a possible cabinet change, the balances between the coalitions that support the Executive should be considered. “We believe that at every minute the balances that have to be manifested in terms of the composition of the Government is something that the President has to evaluate and from there Democratic Socialism and Approve Dignity have to have the fair representation that translates into electoral matters and in parliamentary representation that the different coalitions have”, he commented when leaving the committee.
Minister Urrejola in the spotlight
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrel), Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola, has been strongly questioned in recent months. She criticized her absence during the emergency caused by the forest fires, when she was on vacation, just after facing the controversial leak of a conversation in which he referred to the ambassador of Argentina in Chile, Rafael Bielsa.
In defense of Minister Urrejola, the deputy and president of Acción Humanista, Tomás Hirsch, came out, who assured that the criticisms against his management are unjustified and that at least in his host they advocate for him to remain in his position.
“I do not agree at all, she has the support of Acción Humanista, we believe that if she has done well, we believe that important issues and international relations have been carried out in an excellent way, now the president has to resolve around her and also around any other minister, minister or undersecretary”, sentenced the deputy Hirsch.
It is worth mentioning that it has not been an easy start to the year for the Government. In February, the largest number of forest fires and criticism of the head of Minrel was recorded. Likewise, January was a long and heavy month for the authorities. Among the obstacles they have had to face are the accusation of the Minister of Social Development and Family, Giorgio Jackson; of the former Minister of Justice, Marcela Ríos and the leak of the audio from the Foreign Ministry, to name just a few “problems”. Since then, the need for a “new air” for the government has settled in public opinion; what would happen with a new cabinet change.
