Chilean Opposition Files Constitutional Accusation Against Former Finance Minister Grau

Lawmakers from Chile's Republican and National Libertarian parties have formally filed a constitutional accusation against former Finance Minister Nicolás Grau. This legal action follows the executive branch's denunciation of significant inconsistencies in the previous government's debt projections, reportedly amounting to 9.6 trillion pesos.

The move, announced Monday, has drawn attention for its cross-party support. Despite criticism from some sectors within the right-wing opposition, the document secured signatures from parliamentarians belonging to National Renewal and the Party of the People, alongside independent deputies. This broad backing suggests a unified front against the former minister's alleged fiscal management.

Libertarian deputy Cristóbal Urruticoechea detailed the specific constitutional and legal articles he claims Grau violated. Urruticoechea asserted that Grau committed infractions against Article 8 of the Constitution and several articles within Decree Law 1263. He expressed confidence that the accusation would proceed, seeking a five-year ban from public office for Grau, citing a lack of sufficient capacity to manage, delegate, or accurately report financial information.

Benjamín Romero, a deputy from the Republican party, echoed this sentiment, stating his party's adherence to the accusation because "he who does it, pays." Romero emphasized the importance of accountability for financial errors, which he described as "financial horrors" that impact citizens' quality of life, ensuring such mistakes do not go unpunished for the country's future.