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Carolina Tohá, from the Party for Democracy, will hold the Interior portfolio.
The president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, announced on Tuesday a restructuring of his cabinet, two days following the proposal for a new Constitution for the country was rejected at the polls.
It is the first change in the government since Boric took power last March and takes place at a time of tension in the South American nation, following a drop in the president’s popularity, rising inflation and fractures between the political coalition that supports him. .
“I want you to know that I am making this cabinet change with our country in mind. Cabinet changes they are always dramatic in Chile and this one has had its dose”, said Boric at the end of the appointments.
“This is one of the most difficult moments that I have had to face politically. And we will carry it out for the Chilean men and women and for Chile, “he added, while thanking those who left the charges.
image source, Getty Images
The outgoing interior minister, Izkia Siches, who had been key in Boric’s campaign for the second round of the presidential elections, left her post in tears.
appointments
Among the main appointments announced by Boric was that of Carolina Toha, of the Party for Democracy, who will occupy the Interior portfolio, and that of Ana Lya Uriarte, of the Socialist Party, who will be in charge of the Ministry General Secretariat of the Presidency.
In this way, gives entrance to traditional center-left in his government: Tohá was the mayor of Santiago between 2012 and 2016, and a minister in the Bachelet government between 2009 and 2012. Uriarte, for her part, was Bachelet’s chief of staff during her second term.
The outgoing Minister of the Interior, Izkia Siches, who was key in Boric’s campaign for the second round of the presidential elections, left his position in tears.
Meanwhile, Giorgio Jackson, an old friend of Boric who held the position in the General Secretariat and was in charge of relations with Parliament, went into the background upon being appointed Minister of Social Development.
After a historic turnout of 13 million people – voting was mandatory in Sunday’s referendum – 62% of voters opposed the constitutional change, once morest the 38% who voted “I approve.”
“The Chilean people were not satisfied with the proposals and have decided to clearly reject them. This decision requires the institutions to work with more commitment and dialogue until arriving at a proposal that gives confidence and unites us as a country,” Boric said on the night of the Sunday.
The call was held just three years following the social outbreak which led to an agreement to convene the process to draft a new Constitution.
In October 2020, almost 80% of voters in Chile voted in favor of changing the Constitution and doing so through a Constitutional Convention.
However, the text that resulted from that process was widely rejected on Sunday.
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