Chile's Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz reiterated on Wednesday understanding Housing Minister Iván Poduje's concerns over Ñuble and Biobío reconstruction amid budget cut tensions. Poduje signed off on continuing the pavements participativos program despite Hacienda's suggestions. President José Antonio Kast defended coordination within his government team.
Housing Minister Iván Poduje publicly disagreed with budget cut recommendations from Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz. In an interview with Radio Infinita, Poduje stated: “I have only one boss. His name is José Antonio Kast, the president of Chile. He is my only boss.” He also questioned the fiscal adjustments, stating they would not cut programs like pavements participativos.
Poduje signed the pavements participativos projects for all 16 regions of the country, with an investment of $46 billion pesos. In a video shared on X, he said: “We have fulfilled President José Antonio Kast's instruction to make investments in those territories where they are most needed”.
In response to the criticisms, Quiroz repeatedly told reporters: “Minister Poduje is obviously very worried about the reconstruction of Ñuble and Biobío. We understand his concern and that is why we are working with the utmost speed to approve the bill in Congress and obtain the funds”.
From the Aysén Region, President Kast downplayed the conflict. “We are a work team. In that work team there are conversations, discussions, and improvement proposals,” he said. He added that the modifications would not affect social rights and highlighted his good relationship with the ministers.
