Chile Senate divided on government megareform, regional senators split vote

In the Senate's northern macro‑region—Antofagasta, Atacama and Coquimbo—senators voted 4‑4 on the government's megareform, highlighting divergent regional priorities. The split showed that economic decisions are shaped not only by party lines but also by local needs, with Antofagasta’s Senate president Paulina Núñez (RN) supporting the bill and opposition senator Pedro Araya (PPD) breaking ranks to vote in favour. In Atacama, senators Yasna Provoste (DC) and Daniela Cicardini (PS) voted against the reform, while other members expressed varied stances.

Senator Paulina Vodanovic (PS), representing the Maule region, criticised the reform’s municipal compensation scheme, warning that the share of IVA tax earmarked for municipalities would mainly benefit affluent communes such as Las Condes and Vitacura, leaving disaster‑hit areas under‑funded. She called the arrangement "music" and urged direct funding to the common municipal fund.