With initiatives such as legal abortion, the Government “retakes the transformative narrative”: Daniel Núñez

This was pointed out by the senator of the Communist Party, who emphasized that “the Executive cannot deviate from its essence, nor ignore its base of support and convictions.” He stressed that “the changes that must be carried out cannot depend on the existing balance of power in Parliament.”

Hugo Guzman. Journalist. “El Siglo”. Santiago. 12/6/2024. What political impact do you see in the announcement of legal abortion, euthanasia and branch negotiations? Is it for 30% of the Government, are they necessary initiatives?

I consider President Gabriel Boric’s decision to send these projects to Congress for debate to be very courageous, since it resumes the Government’s transformative narrative. The Executive cannot shy away from its essence, much less ignore its base of support and convictions.

It was pointed out that these projects generate noise in the ruling party, which could help frustrate the pension reform and fiscal pact, the Christian Democrats are against it, do you see it as so negative based on that, how to address these factors?

The Government must act with conviction, with principles and not with a calculator in hand on the votes it has or does not have in Parliament. The changes that have to be carried out cannot depend on the existing balance of power in Parliament, because social opinion and mobilization are often crucial in influencing one political force or another to vote in favor of a legal initiative.

How do you view the legal situation of Mayor Daniel Jadue?

As the days go by, I reaffirm that the preventive detention is unjust and disproportionate. In my opinion, it shows prejudices of the Prosecutor’s Office against the political figure of Mayor Jadue and damages his image. It seems like an early sentence that harms his right to exercise the presumption of innocence. I hope that justice will revoke this harsh precautionary measure.

How did the Communist Party fare in the primaries?

I value the results we achieved at the national level, especially with the five candidates who won primaries for mayors in various municipalities of the country. However, in particular, it pains me that comrade Rayen Pojomovsky did not win the primary to lead the municipality of La Serena, since she was a very good candidate to renew the management in the regional capital. In my opinion, some interesting political phenomena occurred. For example, in a context of a broad alliance from the PC to the DC, our PC candidates were elected recognizing their communist militancy. This also reinforces that the broad unity of the electoral pact provides better results and that the citizens see that we can guarantee good management at the local level. It is very important, because in this way we will be able to better confront the onslaught of the extreme right, who in some municipalities are divided, fragmented. I believe that this broad unity is the best antidote to stop the threatening advance of the extreme right.

There will be more than 20 candidates for mayor. How do you see the PC’s outlook for the municipal elections?

I think that this poses an interesting challenge for us to achieve success in municipalities outside the Metropolitan Region, where, of course, the triumph in La Florida is valued. The options that we will have in Lebu, Talca, Antofagasta and Nogales stand out to consolidate voting in the regions. Another important objective is to increase our vote in councilors, taking into account that we did very well in the last municipal elections.

Do you agree that the 6% turnout in the primaries was negative?

One always hopes for and would like greater citizen participation, but strictly speaking, primaries are events where party assets are mobilized. In any case, I think that Servel lacked a communication campaign to motivate participation. I think it would be a mistake to turn primaries into an obligatory event, as I have read and heard opinions. It would make citizens even more weary of politics and political parties. According to the current reality, primaries are party definitions rather than a majority citizen expression.