President José Antonio Kast led a political committee at La Moneda on Monday where he reprimanded deputy Diego Schalper (RN) for his government criticisms. The leader urged unity in the officialism, particularly regarding Mepco modifications due to fuel price hikes. Arturo Squella from Partido Republicano dismissed 'friendly fire' in the internal critiques.
On Monday, March 23, 2026, President José Antonio Kast chaired an expanded political committee at Palacio de La Moneda, gathering leaders from Chile Vamos, republicanos, and sociales cristianos. Attendees reported that Kast addressed national issues and reprimanded deputy Diego Schalper (RN) for his recent public criticisms of the government, voiced on Mesa Central and Desde La Redacción de La Tercera. Schalper had questioned spokesperson Mara Sedini's communication clarity and labeled the potential restriction of gratuidad for those over 30 an 'equivocación', while warning that empathy with the security crisis should not allow unchecked actions. After the meeting, Schalper downplayed: 'When you receive a country with the homicide rates left by President Boric's government, with the fiscal deficit left by President Boric, it requires clearly communicating the measures'. He supported investigating frauds in prior administration's education benefits. Insiders say Kast urged Schalper for unity and empathy. The call extended to all officialism over Mepco, the government's first political flank amid fuel hikes due to the Iran conflict. An adjustment occurred that day, with more changes announced by Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz and a bill to Congress. Arturo Squella, Partido Republicano president and senator, dismissed 'friendly fire' in critiques from Schalper and Paulina Núñez (RN, Senate president), who stated collaborating does not mean 'seguirle el amén en todo' to Kast. Squella stressed: 'There are ways to raise things and one must seek those moments to transmit the experience'. He called to channel opinions through instances like the political committee.
