Senate President Paulina Núñez (RN) said that José Antonio Kast's government's Chile Despega plan "is not enough" to tackle unemployment, according to La Tercera. The senator spoke on Canal 13's Mesa Central program and called on the executive branch to present additional measures this week.
Unemployment reached 9.6% in the June-August rolling quarter. The executive branch responded with Chile Despega, a package of measures to create jobs. In Núñez's view, that package targets the medium and long term and does not address the urgent need.
"If there is an emergency in Chile, it is unemployment," the senator said. She added that, without responses on several fronts, the figure "will keep growing."
Her proposal has three priorities. First, expand existing employment subsidies. Second, accelerate investment projects. Third, reduce permitting procedures that hold back job creation.
Núñez acknowledged that the approach requires more spending. "Something bigger is needed, and that, like it or not, means loosening the purse strings a little," she said. She also distanced herself from her political camp's traditional position: "We don't believe in cash bonuses, but when you have an emergency, you have to resort to exceptional measures."
The criticism comes from a party in the governing coalition and at a difficult moment for La Moneda. According to Agenda Criteria's online poll conducted on October 8 and 9, Kast's approval rating fell to 27% and his disapproval rating rose to 64%.
Núñez also questioned the executive branch's political strategy. "The diagnosis is over (...) today a response is required," she said. She clarified, however, that she is not necessarily calling for a cabinet reshuffle, but for a roadmap focused on "security, jobs and growth."
The senator called for broad agreements in Congress. Before the end of the year, she said, Parliament must pass the 2027 Budget, the capital markets bill and the security agenda.
On the 2027 Budget, Núñez called on the government to communicate that its central objective is to create jobs. She welcomed the increase in funding for public works and housing, which she believes could generate jobs in the short term.
Her main objection was the elimination of Yo Elijo Mi PC, the program that provides computers to students. "I would not have cut it, and many of us would not have cut it," she said. If the program had shortcomings in evaluation or distribution, she argued, they should have been corrected.
The source does not include a government response to these criticisms. Núñez said Congress would seek to restore Yo Elijo Mi PC during consideration of the budget, which must be passed before the end of the year.
