Chilean Congress approves impeachment trial for former finance minister

Chile's Chamber of Deputies has approved an impeachment trial for Nicolás Grau, who served as Economy Minister and later Finance Minister under former President Gabriel Boric. The accusation, brought forth by far-right lawmakers, centers on alleged fiscal miscalculations during Grau's time in office.

The vote in the lower house passed with 77 votes in favor, 68 against, and one abstention. Grau, who led the Economy Ministry for Boric's entire term (2022-2026) and then the Finance Ministry from August 2025 to March of this year, expressed confidence in his defense. "We will go to the Senate with the same tranquility we have had here. We will demonstrate with great conviction that we are right, that I have not committed any wrongdoing, and that the accusation has no merit," Grau stated after the vote.

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The result was expected, but tighter than anticipated.

If convicted by the Senate, Grau could face a five-year ban from holding public office. The impeachment push was largely supported by parties aligned with the current right-wing government of President José Antonio Kast, including the Republican Party and traditional right-wing coalition Chile Vamos, along with the centrist Party of the People. The outcome in the Chamber of Deputies was closer than some had anticipated, with some Chile Vamos deputies signaling their opposition, causing friction within the executive.

The core of the accusation alleges that Grau violated principles of probity and financial administration by misstating public debt projections for 2026-2030. However, the independent Fiscal Council (CFA) concluded that there were no "inconsistencies" in the previous government's projections. This political process unfolds as President Kast's administration pushes its own controversial tax reform package, which faces an uncertain path in the Senate.

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We will go to the Senate with the same tranquility we have had here. We will demonstrate with great conviction that we are right, that I have not committed any wrongdoing, and that the accusation has no merit.