Chile, President Piñera asks for forgiveness and announces social measures
Rights — di Andrea Barolini
The death toll following the violent clashes in Santiago, Chile has risen to 15. President Piñera tries the (difficult) path of reconciliation.
Chile, President Piñera asks for forgiveness and announces social measures
The death toll following the violent clashes in Santiago, Chile has risen to 15. President Piñera tries the (difficult) path of reconciliation.
"We were not able to recognise the scale of the inequalities and abuses. I ask your forgiveness for this failure." These were the words addressed to his fellow citizens by Chile's conservative president Sebastian Piñera. After many days of serious clashes in the streets between protesters and law enforcement that have caused, according to the latest official toll, a total of 15 deaths.
The social measures announced by Chile's president
Faced with the population's determination not to halt the protests – despite the curfew imposed by the government and the presence of the army on the streets of the capital Santiago, Chile (as well as in other major cities) – the South American leader decided to try the path of reconciliation. Moreover, around twenty trade unions have already called new strikes and new marches for the coming days.
Seemingly overnight, a country famed for its tranquility descended into scenes of chaos. Here are photos of the protests shaking Chile. nyti.ms/33QOuwj
Among the measures proposed by the free-market Piñera in an attempt to appease popular anger are a 20 per cent increase in the lowest pensions, a rise in the minimum wage, a cut in the allowances granted to members of parliament, a freeze on electricity prices, a reduction in the cost of medicines and an increase in the taxes levied on the wealthy.
These measures will in any case have to be put to a vote in Congress, unless, given the state of emergency, Piñera decides to implement them through presidential decrees. "The changes we are proposing will not solve all the problems afflicting Chileans, but they represent a significant necessary effort to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable people," concluded the president of the South American nation.
Chile’s Piñera apologises and unveils reforms in bid to quell protests on.ft.com/2pIBha8
According to reports in the international press, the increase in the lowest pensions could raise them from around 110,000 to around 132,000 pesos. That is, from 136 to 163 euros. This would therefore represent a modest improvement for the least well-off elderly people, but one that is unlikely to be enough to quell the social mobilisation. Not least because the criticism voiced by the protesters runs far deeper.
"Chileans are rejecting an economic model that has failed"
Alberto Mayol, vice-rector of the economics faculty at the University of Santiago, told the French daily Le Monde that "what lies at the root of the events of these days is the failure of the current economic model. And the measures announced by the president do not imply overcoming it."
Piñera also failed to respond to one of the population's most pressing demands: namely, the withdrawal of the military from the streets of Chile's major cities. The president, while avoiding any comment on the deaths of several people, stated that his intention is to lift the state of emergency, but warned that this will only be possible when "I am certain that public order, calm and the security of Chileans will be guaranteed, as well as the protection of public and private property."