President-elect José Antonio Kast is advancing preparations to unveil his cabinet on Tuesday, January 20, with uncertainties in key portfolios like Security and Defense, while facing party pressures for greater representation.
José Antonio Kast, Chile's president-elect, is working against the clock to finalize his ministerial cabinet, scheduled for unveiling in the afternoon of Tuesday, January 20, 2026, followed by a presidential address at 21:00. The venue is unconfirmed, but team sources suggest it could be at La Gloria 88 in Las Condes, where the Office of the President-Elect (OPE) operates.
Progress includes invitations to allied party leaders and ministers' families, along with biographical audiovisual pieces for the event and social media. Tensions persist in sensitive portfolios, however. The Partido Nacional Libertario (PNL)'s refusal to join and Rodolfo Carter's rejection of Security forced adjustments, such as removing Guillermo Turner from Defense.
Confirmed names include Ximena Rincón (Demócratas) for Energy, Claudio Alvarado (UDI) for Interior, José García (RN) for Segpres, Francisco Undurraga (Evópoli), and Republicans Martín Arrau and María Jesús Wulf. Kast aims for one minister per party, except two for Republicans, but faces criticism for favoring independents.
The PNL is reconsidering: Vice President Hans Marowski demands a "formal, complete and transparent proposal," while leader Johannes Kaiser notes that "there is always room to change opinion when conditions change." Potential candidates for Security are retired General Enrique Bassaletti; for Defense, retired Vice Admiral Alberto Soto.
Spokesperson Mara Sedini stresses: "This will be a government of unity with powerful figures who have the president's trust." Meetings continue this weekend to seal the team, seeking political balances without explicit quotas.
