Chile's Finance Ministry, under Jorge Quiroz, recommended reviewing 402 programs for the 2027 budget, with 37% in Education, Social Development, and Health. Officials insist no social rights will be cut, aiming for spending efficiency. Responses followed the leak of internal memos sparking criticism.
Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz sent memos to all ministries outlining the 2027 budget guidelines, proposing to discontinue 142 programs and cut at least 15% from the budget of 260 others. These are based on evaluations from the Commission for Structural Spending Reforms and monitoring systems, labeling programs as "conditioned".
Education (57 programs: 42 adjustments, 15 discontinuations), Social Development (47: 34 adjustments, 13 discontinuations), and Health (46: 21 adjustments, 25 discontinuations) hold 37.3% of the 402 programs under review. Notable ones include Junaeb's School Feeding Program (PAE), Bicentennial High Schools facing a suggested 15% cut, and the Universal Guaranteed Pension (PGU).
Junaeb director Fernando Peña stated the PAE "will continue its operation, there will be no interruption". President José Antonio Kast stressed: "We said we would not cut people's rights and we will not, but we do have to put the house in order".
Quiroz clarified: "No social benefit to the population will be touched here, none at all. The only thing we are doing is seeking efficiency and preventing waste". Social Development confirmed a 2.24% cut ($32.721 million), without setbacks to rights, impacting child, indigenous, and youth programs.
