Chile's Communist Party (PC) is rallying allied forces to turn May 1st into the first major street protest against President José Antonio Kast's government. Opposition leaders have confirmed participation in the march and central event organized by the CUT. Critics target tax reforms and potential budget cuts.
Communist Party president Lautaro Carmona described May 1st as "the first open parliament of the popular and social world capable of raising a very proactive counter-message". In an interview on Radio Nuevo Mundo, he stressed using "all mechanisms of mouth-to-mouth communication, person to person, block to block, factory to factory" to call for a major civic demonstration focused on workers' rights.
The invitation was issued on March 30 at the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT) headquarters, where most opposition party leaders confirmed attendance at the official activities. Parties including the PC, Socialist Party (PS), and Frente Amplio will march with their own columns of militants.
Senator Daniel Núñez (PC) warned that workers, the most affected by government measures, could take to the streets in protest. He cited potential cuts to school feeding for vulnerable children, the end of the Ministry of Justice's human rights program, and 15% budget reductions in public health.
Senator Paulina Vodanovic, PS president, confirmed her party's participation, highlighting the impact of inflation and fuel price hikes on workers. The opposition also targets the executive's major tax project, lowering the corporate tax from 27% to 23%, with reintegration and tax invariance.
