Government Secures Key Vote for Mega-Reform in the Senate

President José Antonio Kast has secured a pivotal vote for his "megareforma" in the Senate, gaining the support of independent Senator Enrique Lee during a tour of the Arica y Parinacota Region. This backing is considered vital for the Executive's legislative agenda in the upper chamber.

To garner Lee's crucial vote, La Moneda, the seat of the Chilean government, engaged in a series of strategic gestures. These included dispatching five government ministers to the region and President Kast himself highlighting Lee's work during the inauguration of El Alto Park in Arica. These actions aimed to demonstrate the administration's commitment and build consensus.

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I believe the President, along with highlighting me, mentioned why: it is persevering work. In 2022, together with the Government of President (Gabriel) Boric, we began Plan Arica 100, and President Kast had the kindness, the generosity, to give it continuity.

Senator Lee explained his decision, linking it to the current administration's continuation of local initiatives he had previously promoted. He specifically mentioned "Plan Arica 100," which began in 2022 under the previous government, and praised President Kast for his "kindness and generosity" in ensuring its progress. Lee emphasized his commitment to supporting the government's efforts to "recover, rebuild, and reactivate" Chile, stating his vote would consistently be "on the side of the Government."

With Lee's vote secured, the Executive's focus now shifts to persuading senators Miguel Ángel Calisto and Matías Walker of the Demócratas party. Both legislators have indicated they remain open to further discussions with central government authorities, suggesting that negotiations are ongoing to achieve broader support for the reform package.

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The decisive vote, well, it has to do with my quality as an independent, but in this case, I have already announced my vote and it will always be on the side of the Government, because here we all have clarity: we need to recover the country, rebuild it, reactivate it. We need to develop it, generate more growth. And there I do not make mistakes.