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Original article: “No escucha a nadie”: Núñez acusa a Quiroz de actuar como “patrón de fundo” en debate de la megarreforma

Núñez Accuses Quiroz of Arrogance and Authoritarianism in Economic Reform Debate

Senator Daniel Núñez (PC) launched harsh criticisms against Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz, labeling his role in the controversial economic-tax reform discussion as authoritarian and arrogant, akin to the behavior of a ‘landlord’ who ‘does not listen to anyone.’

During an interview on Radio y Diario Universidad de Chile, the lawmaker expressed dissatisfaction with how the Finance Minister is steering the debate over the flagship project of the ultra-right José Antonio Kast administration, which features contentious measures such as a reduction of the corporate tax from 27% to 23%, the elimination of the capital gains tax on stocks, and implementing a tax credit for formal employment; alongside a 25-year tax stability for investments exceeding $50 million.

While Núñez acknowledged the dialogue initiated by Senate President Paulina Núñez, he was emphatic in stating that the finance chief is maintaining a rigid stance regarding the core aspects of the initiative. According to him, the dialogue table has devolved into a platform where Quiroz has shown a “very uncompromising attitude” from the outset.

“At the beginning of this dialogue, he indicated a series of topics that were off the table, saying: ‘these things are untouchable,’” he recalled.

“The attitude taken by Minister Quiroz diminishes the value of this dialogue table, raising the question of what the point is of attending if the minister does not concede anything of importance,” he stated firmly.

Furthermore, Núñez depicted the minister as exhibiting “traits of arrogance” and haughtiness, comparing him to the historical role of a landlord.

“He acts as if he owns the Government, very much in the style of a landlord: he invites everyone, lets them speak, but disregards them entirely and does not listen to a soul,” the legislator asserted.

Regarding La Moneda’s strategy, Núñez linked the recent shift in stance—leading Kast’s administration to participate in a dialogue table after weeks of rejection—to internal political pressures, the narrow legislative margin in the Senate, and the public prosecutor’s formal accusation against Senator Miguel Ángel Calisto for damages amounting to 105 million pesos, seeking the senator’s immunity to be lifted.

“The key point is that the Government sees the threat of Senator Calisto being stripped of immunity, which would drastically tighten the voting margin. This means that if any senator supporting the Government does not side with them, we would face a tie,” he noted.

Núñez: “The Government Aims to Grow by Taking Away Social Rights and Benefits from the People”

The senator warned that the Government only engages in dialogue out of fear of losing a vote and not from a genuine willingness to listen, a situation that he believes creates uncertainty for investors when reforms are passed with such tight margins.

Beyond the approach, Núñez questioned the very essence of the project. In his analysis, the Executive has prioritized an agenda that favors large capital, centered on two pillars: lowering taxes for the “super-rich” and deregulating the economy. “The Government intends to grow by stripping social rights and benefits from the people, and that is not a suitable way to reconcile economic growth with social equity,” he asserted in a quoted statement.

In this context, he warned that the reduction of the corporate tax signifies a disfinancing of the state, which would condemn future budgets to further cuts in critical areas such as public health, free education, and the Guaranteed Universal Pension (PGU).

Finally, the legislator called out Minister Quiroz for dismissing concerns from entities like the Independent Fiscal Council, which have warned about the negative fiscal impact. “Minister Quiroz is making a significant mistake by not heeding the advice of such crucial technical bodies,” he lamented.

“I firmly believe that this mega-reform will profoundly harm Chile,” resulting in structural issues that will compel the next government to make “deep changes” in this area.

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