The Senate rejected on Tuesday all four chapters of the constitutional accusation against former Finance Minister Nicolás Grau by a wide margin. The vote spared Grau from a five-year ban on holding public office.
The Senate chamber dismissed each of the four chapters with the following results: the first received 16 votes in favor, 25 against and 4 abstentions; the second, 9 in favor, 32 against and 2 abstentions; the third, 16 in favor, 26 against and 3 abstentions; and the fourth, 10 in favor, 33 against and 2 abstentions. The action was promoted mainly by deputies from the Partido Nacional Libertario and the Partido Republicano.
Right-wing senators supporting President José Antonio Kast voiced internal criticism over the lack of prior coordination. Senator Rodolfo Carter said “estas cosas se tienen que coordinar y conversar antes” and Senator María José Gatica stated that “nos acaban de hacer pasar un bochorno”. Senator Vanessa Kaiser maintained her support for the bill.
Opposition representatives welcomed the outcome. Frente Amplio president Constanza Martínez said that “ha quedado demostrado que era una acusación sin fundamentos”. Former minister Grau celebrated the rejection and defended his fiscal management, stating that “no es cierto que nuestro país está en una situación catastrófica en términos fiscales”.
