Johannes Kaiser, leader of the National Libertarian Party, expressed discomfort over the lack of information on the structure of José Antonio Kast's future government, eight days before the cabinet announcement. The former presidential candidate closed the door on a ministerial role and kept his party's support in suspense. Kaiser accused the President-Elect's Office of failing to provide details on the governmental architecture.
The National Libertarian Party (PNL) is facing tensions in its relationship with José Antonio Kast's team, the president-elect, amid uncertainty about its role in the upcoming government. Johannes Kaiser, PNL president and former presidential candidate, acknowledged on Monday the 'discomfort' of his party due to the lack of clarity in the cabinet formation, scheduled for announcement on January 20.
In statements to La Tercera, Kaiser stated: 'We do not have enough information to form an opinion,' adding that they are navigating 'in the fog' without details on the planning and design of the Executive. The libertarian leader questioned the process, noting that they have not been informed of their party's role or presence in key areas such as Defense, Security, and Judicial, which they expressed interest in from the start.
Over the weekend, Kaiser closed the door on personally joining the cabinet, arguing: 'If I had been at any point an interesting person to be a minister, they would have already talked to me.' Despite previous conversations in 'good terms,' the PNL submitted a list of names last week for ministries, undersecretaries, and presidential delegations, without receiving a formal response.
Within the party, Kaiser's offensive was not surprising, though it raises concern over the limited time: they must decide before the weekend whether to join the government. Some see in Kaiser's exclusion a signal that the OPE does not want their entry into the ministerial team, which has irritated internals. Additionally, they are concerned about the possible assignment of key portfolios to Chile Vamos or Democrats, and names like Guillermo Turner for Defense, instead of their proposal, retired General Luis Cuéllar.
Claudio Alvarado, future Interior Minister, responded that the cabinet appointment is 'the exclusive faculty of the President of the Republic' and that parties will be informed opportunely. The PNL plans a directiva meeting this Wednesday to define steps, in a context where the lack of information complicates adhesion.
