LatinNews Daily - 07 January 2021 |
CHILE: Cabinet reshuffle as ministers become candidates |
On 6 January, Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera announced yet another series of changes to his cabinet, as two ministers stepped down so as to be able to run as candidates in the 11 April election for the constituent convention which will be tasked with drafting a new constitution. Analysis: Ministerial departures had been widely expected this week, as the 11 January deadline to register as a candidate in the election for the constituent convention approaches. Seeking to present lists with well-known names, the parties which form the ruling right-of-centre Chile Vamos coalition had reportedly been putting pressure on their members in government to resign in order to run for the constituent assembly. With yesterday’s announcement coming so soon after the previous cabinet reshuffle – on 18 December 2020 Piñera replaced his defence minister Mario Desbordes and the president of state-run bank Banco Estado Sebastián Sichel – the opposition has, however, seized on the latest ministerial changes as yet a further sign of the Piñera executive’s weakness.
Looking Ahead: The Segpres’ number two, Juan José Ossa, has been appointed to replace Monckeberg, while María Emilia Undurraga is the new agriculture minister. |