Opposition Files Interpellation Motion Against Foreign Minister Pérez Mackenna

Chile’s opposition has launched the first interpellation aimed at a member of President José Antonio Kast’s cabinet. Socialist Deputy Nelson Venegas confirmed that the opposition had gathered the signatures needed to question Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna.\n\nVenegas expected the lower house leadership to set September 29 for the chamber session devoted to questioning the foreign minister. The motion follows opposition criticism of Pérez Mackenna’s handling of his responsibilities.\n\nThe lawmaker acknowledged that some matters in bilateral negotiations are secret and should remain outside the questioning. But he rejected secrecy as a blanket defense, saying, "There is enough sense and rationality to understand that some matters in bilateral negotiations are secrets, and we are not going to get involved in that, but do not use it as an excuse to shield your ineffectiveness and lack of courage in defending our country's interests."\n\nVenegas said the questionnaire was intended to show how several of the minister’s actions had produced various errors. The supplied text ends while he is explaining the rest of the opposition’s argument.

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There is enough sense and rationality to understand that some matters in bilateral negotiations are secrets, and we are not going to get involved in that, but do not use it as an excuse to shield your ineffectiveness and lack of courage in defending our country's interests.