Chile: President Borich has reshuffled the government

Chile’s President Gabriel Boric announced tonight a reshuffle of his government, after voters rejected the country’s new Constitution, which was “key” to his ambitious political agenda.

Just six months after assuming the presidency, Boric proceeded to replace the Ministers of Mines, Energy and Interior. He also replaced the general secretary of the presidency, who oversees the government’s legislative agenda.

In his speech at the La Moneda presidential palace, Boric said the reshuffle was “one of the most difficult things” he has done, but was necessary to expand the governing coalition. “You can’t rule on the surface. It wasn’t easy, but changes are never easy,” he commented.

Carolina Toa, an experienced centrist politician, a former mayor of Santiago and a minister under Michelle Bachelet’s presidency, takes over as interior minister in place of Ischia Sitges. Giorgio Jackson, a former leader of the student protest movement alongside Boric, will be replaced by Ana Lia Uriarte in the general secretariat of the presidency. But he will remain in the government, since he takes over as Minister of Social Development in place of Janet Vega who resigned at the end of August.

Boric, Chile’s youngest president, promised ambitious social reforms and came to power amid a wave of optimism fueled by hope for a new, progressive Constitution. But voters overwhelmingly rejected it (62%) in Sunday’s referendum. The president said he plans to propose a new Constitution, with the support of parliament and other political actors.

Hundreds of students demanding a new Constituent Assembly had gathered outside La Moneda shortly before the reshuffle was announced. Police dispersed the crowd using tear gas and pressurized water.

RES-EMP

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