Chile debates a state of emergency of up to eight months without congressional approval
José Antonio Kast's government indicated on Tuesday it was willing to amend the constitutional security reform bill it submitted to the Senate on August 17, after the proposal drew objections both from the opposition and from parties within its own coalition.
The Chilean government expressed readiness on Tuesday to modify the constitutional security reform bill they submitted to the Senate on August 17, after facing objections from both the opposition and within their own coalition. The bill establishes a constitutional state of public security emergency that the president could declare in response to a serious and imminent threat to public order or if public order is already substantially compromised.
The emergency could last up to 120 days, with the president able to extend it once for an equal period without congressional approval, totaling 240 days. Only subsequent extensions would necessitate parliamentary agreement. During this period, freedom of movement, assembly, and association rights could be restricted, and communications could be intercepted.
The most significant concern is parliamentary oversight, as the most severe states of emergency currently under Chile's constitution, the state of siege and state of assembly, require congressional approval within five days of declaration. Senate President Paulina Núñez called for the measure to be removed from the bill and stated her party, Renovación Nacional, would not support it, arguing that a fifth constitutional state of emergency "is not necessary."
Independent Democratic Union deputy Guillermo Ramírez warned that the executive had "gone a bit too far" and cautioned that "these rules always end up staying, and tomorrow there is another president." Interior Minister and government spokesman Claudio Alvarado indicated the government was prepared to consider proposals, suggesting alternatives such as a shorter 30-day period within another state of emergency and seeking congressional renewal.
The reform requires four-sevenths of sitting Congress members and must pass the constitution, defense, and public security committees. Opposition from Renovación Nacional, Evópoli, and unaligned groups has left the government without a guaranteed quorum within their own bloc. A Cadem survey released on Sunday showed 49% disagreement with the new state of emergency and 51% in favor of the government withdrawing the bill to make adjustments.
The bill is part of the Agenda against Organized Crime and Terrorism, which includes eight constitutional amendments and nineteen legislative initiatives, such as creating an official registry of criminal organizations with constitutional status.
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