Just hours after the constitutional accusation against Minister Jackson fell in the Chamber of Deputies, the deputy Eduardo Durán (RN), who was one of the six who abstained -and second of RN, adding Ximena Ossandón- in the general vote, he gives his reasons that explain his departure from the party’s position.
Why did you distance yourself from the option that Renovación Nacional took?
I don’t think it’s a demarcation. The accusation did not have sufficient merits, regardless of all the appreciations that one may have of him, such as the management of his person.
How did the party react?
The party has not told me anything. In fact, at the bench meeting I conveyed what my vote was going to be and other deputies did the same. I haven’t had any conversations after that.
Despite the fact that RN’s position had been to approve?
It must be remembered that this accusation was presented by the Republican Party (PR), it was not presented by the parties of Chile Vamos. In great majority, the deputies of the party decided to support it and we were two deputies who abstained.
Are you uncomfortable with constitutional charges?
They are not a good instrument, they are used in a bad way. We have already seen this in the government of President Piñera, where the former opposition was intransigent, fierce and used the constitutional accusation in a very bad way. It is a mechanism that should be reviewed.
Do you think that the decision you made with Deputy Ossandón affects the unity of the coalition?
If I had not had that peace of mind, I would not have voted, I would have stood up, or I would have withdrawn from the room. I think that one has to have enough integrity to know how to vote correctly and not to throw away the anger that the sector can have with Minister Jackson. Here an accusation was presented with four points, which, in my opinion, did not have sufficient merit to be approved.
What will you vote in the libel against former minister Marcela Ríos?
I will read the accusation, I will study the merits of it and with my team of advisors we will see the decision in due course.
Regarding Minister Jackson, do you expect anything from him now?
Of course. When he was a representative of the Republic, he was part of a destructive opposition, which did not do good to dialogue, to the search for consensus, which is the essence of politics. As Segpres minister, even the same government sectors accused him of his intransigence and his null search for an agreement. Now, as Minister of Social Development, he notices the weakness. So, either the President makes a trade with him, or he is removed from office. Today’s situation could perfectly be repeated in the future. The final call for Minister Jackson is for him to rise to the level of a Minister of State.