Original article: Senadora Cicardini tras avance de Ley Miscelánea: «El ministro Quiroz no es ni Dios ni Virgen; pero pide un irresponsable acto de fe en su mala reforma”

Senator Cicardini Criticizes Advance of Miscellaneous Law: «Minister Quiroz is Neither God Nor Virgin; He Asks for an Irresponsible Act of Faith in His Poor Reform»

With a critical tone, Senator Daniella Cicardini from Atacama highlighted the structural risks associated with the economic proposal introduced by Minister Quiroz after the Senate Finance Committee approved the idea of legislating the government’s so-called miscellaneous law, or megarreforma.

Senator Cicardini stated, «Minister Quiroz is neither God nor Virgin; he asks for an irresponsible act of faith in his poor reform.»

The legislator criticized the Executive for promoting the initiative as if it were an “ideological dogma,” saying, “I am a believer and devoted to the Virgin of Candelaria, and I can have faith in her, but Minister Quiroz is neither God nor, to my knowledge, a Virgin. Therefore, I truly believe it is irresponsible to think that Chile needs an act of faith. What Chileans expect is a serious fiscal policy founded on empirical evidence and technical bases to support the actions proposed by the government in this mega reform.”

Cicardini elaborated on her lack of trust in the project’s design and the government’s economic expectations, describing them as risky. “When I hear some right-wing senators say, ‘I’m going to vote for the idea of legislating because I have faith,’ I honestly think that is tremendously irresponsible. Especially when the committee chair says this is a gamble. This is not a casino. What happens if it fails? Chile loses, the economy loses, jobs are lost.”

In this context, the Finance Committee member recalled criticisms of the Executive’s initiative from institutions and technical agencies such as the Independent Fiscal Council, the Supreme Court, and the IMF, as well as previous finance ministers and experts, some of whom participated in the committee debate.

Senator Cicardini also justified her vote against opening the discussion on the legislative initiative, citing the current administration’s lack of credibility. “How could I trust a government that has recently lied, starting with the campaign? It has deceived the Chilean people. This government is not credible. Therefore, I cannot, obviously, place my vote to open the discussion on this mega reform if it compromises and affects Chileans.”

She also emphasized that, beyond agreements, the core of the project is profoundly unequal. “An agreement itself is not valuable if it causes problems for the people. In the end, it generates enormous harm for Chilean families, particularly for the middle class and the most vulnerable families. And in this, we will not be available. This government will force the poor to pay for what the rich do not want to pay, and the Socialist Party will not be available for that.”

Finally, Senator Daniella Cicardini reminded everyone that “the Socialist Party provided a proposal, and we will present another, but all will follow the same line: there are structural problems at the core, and this mega reform is poorly designed,” she concluded.