Former deputy Cristián Labbé resigned from the Partido Nacional Libertario (PNL) on Monday, claiming he was judged for voicing dissenting opinions. Johannes Kaiser, the party's president, rejected accusations of 'cancellation' and defended the party's internal operations.
Cristián Labbé announced his resignation from the Partido Nacional Libertario on April 20, stating he sought 'political independence' after feeling judged for criticizing directiva decisions. 'When I was a militant and gave my opinion, I was judged, canceled in some way,' he said on La Metro.
Johannes Kaiser responded on 24 Horas, denying any formal process against Labbé. 'No. First of all, we have not judged anyone. There is an institutional framework and it works,' he stated. He emphasized that 'as far as I know, there was no open process against Cristián Labbé' and membership is voluntary: 'Being a member of the Partido Nacional Libertario is a free and sovereign decision'.
Tensions arose over the PNL's decision not to join José Antonio Kast's government, which Labbé called a 'political and tactical misstep'. His attendance at the cabinet announcement in the Oficina del Presidente Electo was seen as contradictory.
This is not the first incident: vice president Camille Sigl also resigned over similar differences after the presidential election. The leadership maintains there is no structural rift.
