Continuing his transition consultations, president-elect José Antonio Kast met with leaders from Chile's main municipal associations at his 'La Moneda chica' office to discuss priorities in security, public management, and education. The groups presented a unified 'State Urgencies' agenda and committed to drafting a Municipal Security Law within the first 100 days of his government. Participants hailed the meeting as a positive step toward collaboration.
The gathering at Kast's temporary Santiago office involved the Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades (ACHM), Asociación de Municipalidades de Chile (AMUCH), and Asociación de Municipios Rurales (AMUR). Held earlier this week (Tuesday or Wednesday per varying reports), it built on Kast's prior meetings with political leaders amid his presidential transition.
ACHM president Gustavo Alessandri (mayor of Zapallar, UDI) described a constructive dialogue: 'We proposed collaboration with the central government and committed to delivering Municipal Security Law regulations before the first 100 days.' AMUCH president José Manuel Palacios (mayor of La Reina, UDI) expressed gratitude for Kast's attention to municipal needs, while AMUR leader Rodrigo Contreras (mayor of Paine, UDI) stressed including rural municipalities in the roadmap.
Discussions highlighted halting school transfers to Local Public Education Services (SLEP) pending audits and fixes, rejecting 'ideological experiments' in favor of technical solutions. No firm commitments emerged on appointments, but mayors appreciated potential expertise in roles like deputy secretary for municipalities.
The talks signal growing alignment between local governments and Kast's administration amid challenges like crime, inequality, and resource constraints.
