The leader of the People's Party (PDG) and former presidential candidate, Franco Parisi, condemned the acts of violence directed against parliamentarians Javier Olivares and Jaime Araya, involving physical assault and harassment, respectively. Over the weekend, the former presidential candidate used his social media to denounce the attacks, emphasizing the need for a return to civic coexistence.
Harassment and death threats against Jaime Araya:
The first case involves Deputy Jaime Araya (Independent-PPD), who reported receiving death threats, calls from abroad, and insults related to his statements regarding proposals that opposition sectors would present within the framework of the discussion of the mega-reform. "If we are in the 300 [votes], the Communist Party will likely reach 600, the Broad Front will reach 1,000. That's why I believe it will easily reach around 2,500, if you add the Socialist Party, the Party for Democracy, the Communist Party, the Broad Front, and Christian Democracy. And that's without the proposals that the others will necessarily have to make to avoid being left out of this," Araya had stated in the podcast "Provócame." After the threats against the parliamentarian were made public, the PPD caucus stated that "in politics, not everything is permitted. In a democracy, there are differences and disagreements regarding certain bills and the way they are processed. However, it is very different when sectors of the right and far-right orchestrate attacks with a level of hatred that we haven't seen in a long time."
Franco Parisi condemns assault against Javier Olivares and threats to Jaime Araya:
Regarding the case of Deputy Jaime Araya, Parisi stated that he personally disagrees with the parliamentarian's political position, but that threats and violence cannot be tolerated. "One can be very distant from the opinions of a deputy, or any person, but physical intimidation or death threats are unacceptable. They may be authorities that you dislike, that are distant from what you believe, but we must return to the civic coexistence that has always existed in Chile and respect," he emphasized in a social media post.
Assault on Javier Olivares:
The other case addressed by the former presidential candidate concerns one of the members of the PDG caucus, Javier Olivares. The deputy reported being the victim of a physical assault during the early hours of Sunday, while participating in an activity at the headquarters of the Amateur Montevideo Sports Club in Olmué, Valparaíso Region. According to reports, the deputy was approached by a man who punched him in the face, while a second individual knocked him down and kicked him. At the same time, one of his advisors tried to help him, and was also assaulted. Both victims were taken to the Limache Hospital, where they were diagnosed with minor injuries. Later that day, Javier Olivares' parliamentary office announced the filing of legal actions against those responsible; and, in addition, a series of condemnations were issued against the actions of the attackers.
Franco Parisi condemns assault against Javier Olivares and threats to Jaime Araya:
Regarding the assault on Deputy Javier Olivares, the former presidential candidate stated that "one can have a thousand and one differences with a person, but violence cannot be allowed in any event." "Yesterday, Javier was cowardly attacked; he was hit directly in the face," Parisi lamented. The leader of the PDG condemned the assault on the parliamentarian and his advisor, and at the same time, called for the rejection of violence.