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Original article: Codelco no se toca: 74% rechaza privatizarla

The potential privatization of Codelco continues to stir significant opposition among the public, as highlighted by the latest edition of the Agenda Criteria survey, which reveals that 7 out of 10 respondents firmly believe that the state-owned copper mine should not be privatized.

When asked whether «Codelco should be privatized?», 74% expressed their opposition to its privatization, with 49% preferring to maintain it as a fully state-owned enterprise while improving its management and 31% advocating for private capital involvement while keeping state control. Only 5% opted for a majority privatization that would strip the state of control over the mining company, and 15% indicated they had no clear stance.

According to the opinion poll conducted on August 2, public rejection of the idea of the country’s leading company falling into private hands remains largely unchanged compared to measurements taken in 2018 (73%) and May of this year (72%).

The survey data indicates a stark contrast in perspectives related to the potential for moving toward privatization, which has been reflected in recent polls showing only 26-28% support for privatizing the company.

The survey also shows clear contrasts based on the political inclinations of respondents. Among those on the left, 66% support Codelco remaining 100% state-owned, while that support drops to 49% among centrists and falls further to 39% on the right. Within this last group, 42% favor partial private capital involvement while maintaining state control over the mining company.

The support for keeping Codelco under state ownership aligns with recent comments from the president of the Republican Party, Arturo Squella, who proposed to the José Antonio Kast government to partially privatize the copper mine or its divisions to generate funds and enhance management through private investor participation. In the same vein, the National Libertarian Party, led by Johannes Kaiser, suggested a partial privatization and indicated that the resources generated could be distributed among citizens, potentially up to $2 million per person.

In response to these pressures, the administration characterized by the far right has provided answers that are not without contradictions. The Minister of Economy and Mining, Daniel Mas, ruled out any privatization of Codelco, distancing himself from the Republican Party’s proposal. «We are not in favor of privatization,» the state secretary affirmed.

However, shortly after, the government sought to introduce an idea that in the opinion of several analysts and experts, signals a pathway toward a gradual and fragmented privatization: the possibility of selling «non-essential assets» belonging to Codelco’s subsidiaries.

Kast’s Disapproval Rises to 55%

Agenda Criteria also revealed that public approval for José Antonio Kast has dropped two points since the last survey, now standing at 34%; while disapproval has increased by one percentage point, reaching 55%. Additionally, 11% of respondents stated they were unsure whether they approve or disapprove of the way the president manages the government.

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