Opposition to Challenge Kast’s Mega-Reform at Constitutional Court, Claiming It Fuels Abuse and Inequality

Original article: «Consagra el abuso y la desigualdad»: Oposición recurrirá al Tribunal Constitucional para frenar la megarreforma de Kast

Following the Senate’s approval of the proposed economic tax mega-reform championed by José Antonio Kast’s government, the opposition announced plans to appeal to the Constitutional Court (TC) to halt a project that they claim «institutionalizes abuse and inequality».

After a session that lasted into the early hours of Thursday, the ruling party secured 26 votes in favor to advance the initiative, while the opposition could only muster a maximum of 24 votes against it. Thus, the ultraright government succeeded in passing controversial key provisions of the so-called «mega-reform for the usual beneficiaries,» including the gradual reduction of the First Category Tax (IDPC), tax invariability, the gradual reintegration of the tax system, and the restoration of expenses for companies with projects annulled under an Environmental Qualification Resolution, among others.

It is important to note that the legislative initiative now faces its third constitutional review, meaning it will return to the Chamber of Deputies for final deliberation.

If the full chamber approves the project and any modifications made, it will be ready for promulgation as law. Conversely, if the vote goes against it, the law stipulates that a mixed commission must be formed to resolve differences between the two chambers.

Opposition to Challenge Mega-Reform at Constitutional Court

After the day concluded, opposition senator Claudia Pascual (PC) referred to the project’s approval as «a dark day for fiscal coffers» and warned that Kast’s initiative reduces revenue «without structural compensations».

«We will go backward,» she cautioned.

Senator Alfonso de Urresti (PS) also criticized the mega-reform, asserting that “on depth and rigor, it is not a good standard.”

He announced that the opposition will turn to the Constitutional Court over the environmental, tax, and invariability measures proposed in the project, indicating that requests will be submitted by Monday at the latest, as we need to process the information, as reported by El Mostrador.

In a similar vein, the president of the Broad Front, Constanza Martínez, argued that this deeply ideological project, crafted «for the ultra-rich, weakens the State and generates uncertainty for the middle class, as opposition, we will appeal to the Constitutional Court«.

«We will not allow these setbacks to continue affecting Chilean families,» she declared.

Deputy Gael Yeomans stated that the Broad Front will exhaust all efforts to halt the mega-reform.

«In the Chamber’s discussion, we will appeal to the Constitutional Court to stop this project that institutionalizes abuse and inequality», she affirmed in a message shared on social media.

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From the same party, Deputy Javiera Morales questioned why the Kast government ignored warnings from experts and chose not to engage in dialogue.

«Minister Quiroz opted to benefit the ultra-rich, while the middle class, the most vulnerable, and small and medium enterprises are effectively left out of this reform, with no measures for them,» she condemned.

«We will take the tax invariability to the Constitutional Court to prevent this reform from causing harm for 25 years,»