Paulina Vodanovic, president of the Socialist Party, criticized Security Minister Trinidad Steinert's lack of strategy and the government's economic megareform. UDI president Guillermo Ramírez defended Steinert, calling her statements reasonable. The criticisms arise 50 days into José Antonio Kast's government.
Paulina Vodanovic, president of the Socialist Party, criticized Security Minister Trinidad Steinert's management in an interview on Canal 13's Mesa Central. "The minister must fulfill the duty the law imposes on her, which is to have a national strategy to combat terrorism and crime," Vodanovic stated, insisting that ministers must build public policies and direct the national security strategy.
Vodanovic pointed to delays in team unity and lack of results in migration. "19 seremis have left the government, zero immigrants expelled," she said. She also questioned the economic megareform: "The project is based on erroneous assumptions" and aims to "collect less," warning that it cuts taxes for large companies without clear compensations.
In response, UDI president Guillermo Ramírez backed Steinert in talks with La Tercera and Mesa Central. "What Minister Steinert says seems reasonable to me," he said, adding there is no "silver bullet" in security and 100 measures are needed. "She will be judged by her ability to make Chile a safer country," Ramírez stated.
Steinert had acknowledged criticisms of her management 50 days into the government. "Let us work, we are doing it, but results cannot be immediate," she told La Tercera. Ramírez also defended the government against Hacienda leaks on budget cuts, accusing the left of irresponsibility.