«Ineptitude in Governance» – Bárbara Figueroa Criticizes Kast Administration Following 47 Official Departures in Six Months

Original article: “Tiene que ver con no saber gobernar”: Bárbara Figueroa cuestiona al Gobierno de Kast tras 47 salidas de autoridades en seis meses

According to Bárbara Figueroa, the Secretary-General of the Communist Party, the departure of 47 officials within the first six months of José Antonio Kast’s government «is linked to a failure in governance.»

Following the recent resignations of José Bravo, the Health Secretary of La Araucanía, and Jorge Olivares Puentes, the Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Antofagasta, the far-right administration now faces a total of 47 officials who have left their posts. Specifically, this figure includes 37 SEREMIs, three ministers, six undersecretaries, and one presidential delegate, according to the independent platform Renuncias Kast, which tracks resignations, removals, shifts, and unfulfilled appointments.

In light of this situation, Figueroa suggested that if the previous government under President Gabriel Boric had experienced such a level of disarray and resignations within six months, it would have resulted in almost an impeachment motion from the Republican Party and a possible call to question the president.

«However, today, in power, they can’t even step up and provide a minimum explanation,» the communist leader stated on Radio Nuevo Mundo, raising the question: «If they were so prepared to govern, why do they have such incompetent people?»

Common reasons for these officials’ exits include the resignation of those who tested positive for drugs, while others either didn’t meet the educational or professional qualifications or sparked controversy due to social media posts.

«They resigned due to drug tests (positive for drug use), inappropriate statements, failure to meet requirements, or blatant political patronage in appointing to positions. It’s not that there was persecution or that organizations prevented them from doing their job; it’s because they are incompetent people,» Figueroa recalled.

«So, can anyone tell us that this does not relate to the central government and its incapacity to have solid governing teams? Therefore, let’s not overlook that this is about a failure to govern,» she emphasized.

She argued that different administrations that have reached La Moneda have not experienced this level of disarray, mistakes, breaches of integrity, errors, and political decisions that aim to dress up failures.

Figueroa called for media to remain vigilant on this issue and not to downplay it, as it has been evident how newspapers and channels have acted with «condescension, patience, and tolerance towards the new government’s errors,» a situation that did not exist with previous governments.

«What would have previously been subject to constant political analysis in the media is now simply a matter of ‘let’s give them time, let’s wait, let’s find explanations’,» the communist leader criticized.