Original article: «Ha evidenciado un patrón de respuestas confrontacionales con vecinos y autoridades»: Senadores del PS criticaron a Poduje tras nuevo «encontrón» en Valdivia In a public statement, the Socialist Party (PS) senators expressed their «full support» for lawmaker Alfonso De Urresti following derogatory remarks made by Housing Minister Iván Poduje during a meeting with residents in Valdivia, where the Wetlands Law was discussed among other issues. «We are concerned about the tone and manner in which the minister has approached this and other discussions,» the PS senators stated, questioning that «in various public instances, a pattern of confrontational responses has been evident with neighbors and authorities. » The Socialist caucus believes this behavior «does not help generate the conditions for dialogue that the country needs to tackle complex challenges like access to housing.
» «This is compounded by recent decisions from the Ministry of Housing, such as the announcement of cuts to projects labeled as ‘gigantic,’ including the expropriation of Colonia Dignidad, the Punta Arenas Equestrian Club, and the funding for the Alameda-Providencia bike lane, along with statements that downplay the role of the State in these types of initiatives,» the PS senators added. They characterized it as «concerning that, in response to citizen inquiries, there have been episodes of tension, such as those that occurred in El Olivar, Viña del Mar, or in Coronel, where the minister responded in ways that do not align with the standard expected of someone in his position. » «As senators, we expect a minister to engage differently, with greater respect, despite differences.
A minister who insults parliamentarians does not represent the authority conferred to him,» the statement emphasized, ultimately calling on President Kast to correct these dynamics that «do not help advance solutions to important issues for the country and its regions.