El Ciudadano
Original article: Kast no convence con su proyecto de «reconstrucción nacional»: Oposición advierte «traje a la medida» del gran empresariado y los millonarios del país
In his first national televised address, President José Antonio Kast presented his «plan for national reconstruction and economic development,» which includes significant tax cuts, reducing the first-category tax rate from 27% to 23%. This proposal has been labeled by the opposition as «tailored to fit» the interests of the nation’s wealthiest businessmen and millionaires.
Immediate reactions followed the presidential message. From the Frente Amplio, Congresswoman Javiera Morales expressed disappointment that the President continues to favor the 1,500 wealthiest individuals in the country, at the expense of cutting budgets for health, education, security, and pensions. «He wants to govern Chile with failed recipes from other countries,» she said.
In a similar vein, Senator Diego Ibáñez (also from FA) remarked that Kast claims these decisions are difficult and that future gratitude is expected. «The problem is that this sacrifice only falls on those with the least, while benefiting the wealthiest 1%,» he stated.
According to Ibáñez, this plan is «crafted for the major business owners and millionaires in this country, where every percentage point reduction in their taxes is paid for by the middle class, workers, and the poorest municipalities. All it does is squeeze family budgets, passing off a cat for a hare,» emphasized the legislator.
Former Minister Antonia Orellana remarked that the «melted candy» bill—misnamed the ‘Reconstruction Plan’—exhibits a neoliberal dogmatism that even the Chicago Boys would envy. One instance is the proposal for the state to reimburse private individuals when a government authority revokes an administrative decision approving a project.
In the Communist Party, Congressman Daniela Serrano questioned Kast’s language about «hope» and «progress,» stating that what is introduced is an agenda tailored to large corporations.
«The national broadcast makes it clear what lies beneath: a covert tax reform that benefits the wealthy while working families continue to bear the burden,» warned the parliamentarian.
From the same party, Senator Daniel Núñez declared that Kast’s presentation was «a tax giveaway for the super-rich, just as people are dealing with rising fuel prices.»
The reduction of the corporate tax from 27% to 23% costs $1.858 billion and primarily benefits companies that represent only 1.9% yet account for 88.9% of sales—namely, the major economic groups, not small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The tax reintegration reinforces this trend: benefits concentrate at the top, with the wealthiest 1% capturing the majority,» explained Senator Núñez.
On this same issue, Congresswoman Ana María Gazmuri from Acción Humanista warned that «while the government reduces purchasing power for families, it hands billions to the wealthiest 1%. Fewer taxes, more benefits, and zero real support for SMEs. They even weaken the municipal common fund and protect privileges.»
«This is not growth; it’s inequality,» she condemned.
Finally, from the Socialist Party, Congressman Daniel Manouchehri reminded that «we made it clear to Kast’s government: we are not available to support a reform that benefits the wealthiest 1% at the expense of 99% of Chileans.»
Check here the details of the initiative presented by Kast’s Government
We will continue to report.
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