Presidential candidate José Antonio Kast met on Monday with former first lady Cecilia Morel and the children of the late former president Sebastián Piñera to formalize their support ahead of the runoff election. The hour-long meeting discussed national challenges, the role of the first lady, and education. Despite past differences, the family stressed the need for unity against the officialism.
The meeting took place around 16:40 at Sebastián Piñera's house, located at Camino La Viña 11.381, in the Las Condes commune, Santiago. Kast arrived accompanied by his wife, María Pía Adriasola, and was received by Cecilia Morel and her children Magdalena, Sebastián, and Cristóbal Piñera. The gathering lasted about an hour and ended with a press point where topics such as previous campaigns, social support from the first lady's role, and education—a matter close to the Piñera family—were highlighted.
Magdalena Piñera described the meeting as 'very kind, very interesting,' and noted: 'My mom and Pía talked a lot about the role and importance of the first lady and the social support that can be provided from there on education.' Kast thanked them: 'What they have worked as a family for Chile and that they received us so warmly, we thank them very much with Pía.' Cecilia Morel acknowledged past differences but stated: 'There are differences, we all have them, but undoubtedly the backbone is what matters, and here something fundamental for our country is at stake, which is the model we want for the future.' She added that the support is 'without conditions, we have no position, nothing.'
The history between Kast and Piñera includes tensions, such as in March 2020 when Kast declared himself in opposition to Piñera's government during the social outbreak and pandemic crisis, stating: 'This government has squandered its political capital and has surrendered to leftist ideas that do so much damage to the country.' In 2018, Morel had criticized Kast for representing 'a sensitivity that I would not want to continue growing.' Despite this, the meeting aims for unity in the sector ahead of the December 14 runoff, where Kast will face Jeannette Jara.
During the day, Kast also met with Demócratas leaders, such as Senator Ximena Rincón, to discuss programmatic proposals, though without formal support yet. Additionally, he met with El Salvador's Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro and criticized President Gabriel Boric over the border situation with Peru.