Álvaro Ortiz and the Democratic Center's rejection of the idea of legislating the mega-project: "Firstly, it was because we felt that our voices were not being heard."

Up until Wednesday afternoon, Álvaro Ortiz, the Christian Democrat congressman and party president, was still awaiting a response from the government regarding the proposal they had presented for the mega-project. The response did not arrive, and the executive branch proposed a technical meeting only for this week. However, by that point, the Falange party faction had already made a decision. Álvaro Ortiz (DC): "We have always acted with a spirit of dialogue. We went to see the government at La Moneda and presented our concerns, because we always said that this project should have been considered in separate parts. Therefore, in the case of our vote, it was based, first, on the fact that we did not feel heard. Second, after reviewing the background information – we listened to the experts and also to our congresswoman Priscilla Castillo about what was happening within the Finance Committee – we decided that it was not a good project and that we had to demonstrate that when we voted in the committee." Were there any commitments from the executive branch that were not fulfilled? "Look, the commitment was, first, to respond to what we presented. Second, to schedule a meeting with experts. That did not happen, and I believe that only on Thursday or Friday, after an email from our party whip, Jorge Díaz, they responded that the minister (Jorge Quiroz) would not be able to meet with us because he was attending the Chile Day, and that possibly a team of advisors could meet with us next week." How was the rejection by your party evaluated? "When the Christian Democrats take a position, they always receive criticism; if we voted against the idea of legislating, it is because we aligned ourselves with the left; if we had abstained, they would say, 'look at the yellow Christian Democrats,' and if we had voted in favor, they would say that we surrendered to the government. I don't see other parties being judged in the same way." What is your analysis of the executive branch's actions towards you? "Look, I believe that things can always be done better; we saw a willingness, but this is not done only with willingness; you have to follow through. I think Minister Quiroz is wrong when he says that even though we voted against the idea of legislating, we will still do it, eventually through a decree. That doesn't help at all." Who do you think is responsible? "No, I could not individualize that situation to one person. When we sat down to talk with the ministers of the Interior and Finance, we were talking with the government. I understood at all times that we were talking with the government." What are the red lines of the Christian Democrats? "That social rights that the country has earned are not violated. When we talked about reducing the tax rate from 27% to 23%, we proposed reducing it from 27% to 25% within three years, and then evaluating it based on the growth of the GDP. Also, to guarantee what compensatory measures are for this tax reduction in expenses, and how this reduction will affect the State's revenue, and to be able to discuss those mitigation measures where appropriate and at the right time." What would have to happen for you to be open to approving the project? "Those things have to be discussed within the party. We will meet again on Monday, the 11th. We will reiterate that we are open to dialogue and discussion, as long as it is for the benefit of the majority of Chileans." Within the opposition, the idea was proposed to turn this process into a nightmare, with a tsunami of amendments. Do you share this view within the Christian Democrats? "When one is in these positions, one must be able to present the membership with a list that represents different visions and souls within the party. I believe that the Christian Democrats in these times must be a party that modernizes, both in its administrative part and in how we communicate with the membership and with the country. And, from now on, we must start looking at candidates for future elections." What is the plan to address the party's financial problems? "What we always said during the campaign (financial report to the Servel) was approved. We have all our employees' salaries up to date. I have a meeting with our employees this Monday. We were able to regularize all of that."