As the week began, Jose Antonio Kast, the flagbearer of the Republican Party, gathered with lawmakers and party officials to unveil his latest initiative, the “Reinicia Plan.” This comprehensive strategy aims to tackle the entrenched issues of privilege, abuse, and distortions within the State. The backdrop to this unveiling is the recent scandal involving over 25,000 fake medical leaves submitted by public servants, with Kast’s own party being embroiled in the controversy following revelations about one of its mayors, Eduardo Espinoza, misusing a medical leave while abroad.
Kast’s impassioned address highlighted the urgent need for reform, stating, “We have witnessed how the State has faltered, not due to technical errors but because it has been hijacked by various wrongdoings or individuals who have misused their roles without being held accountable. Today, we propose a new State.” He emphasized that the Chilean State had been held captive by an elite group that exploited public resources without any oversight, pointing out instances where thousands of officials abused fake medical leaves and claimed exorbitant sums in overtime pay.
“The Chilean State has been captured by an untouchable elite who exploit public resources without being held accountable. Today, we put an end to this with the Reinicia Plan.”
Central to the proposed reforms is the publication of a list exposing officials who used fraudulent leaves, coupled with ongoing data sharing among regulatory bodies such as the Comptroller General’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Investigations Police, the Superintendence of Social Security, and the National Health Fund. Immediate dismissal and a two-year ban on rehiring are suggested for those found guilty of such fraud. Additionally, the establishment of a digital unified register of public servants is planned to enhance transparency in public employment figures.
A key element, previously announced by the party, involves the creation of a new administrative statute facilitating dismissals for poor performance, annual performance evaluations, automatic termination of advisors with government changes, and the promotion of public competitions as the norm. Kast underlined the need to eliminate nepotism, shut down redundant programs, and dismantle unchallenged privileges, asserting that Chile requires a functional State, not an obstructive one.
“We will eradicate nepotism, eliminate useless programs, and abolish privileges that have gone untouched. Chile needs a State that works, not one that hinders progress.”
The plan also addresses the issue of unlawful strikes by proposing salary deductions and other penalties for disrupting essential services. Party president Arturo Squella emphasized the crucial role of public feedback in evaluating service delivery, urging unwavering determination from leaders to address these critical issues.
Kast’s focus on combating corruption is not new, with recent proposals targeting the regulation of medical leaves and responding to unfolding developments in cases like ProCultura. The consistent unveiling of anti-corruption measures underscores Kast’s commitment to reshaping the State and fostering accountability among public officials.
In conclusion, Kast’s “Reinicia Plan” represents a bold step towards reforming the State’s governance and restoring public trust. By addressing systemic issues of privilege and misconduct head-on, Kast’s proposals aim to usher in a new era of transparency, efficiency, and accountability in Chilean governance.
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