Senate Approves 'Idea de Legislar' on Kast's National Reconstruction Bill, 26-23-1

The Chilean Senate approved the general legislative framework ('idea de legislar') of President Kast's Plan de Reconstrucción Nacional y Desarrollo Económico y Social — the flagship bill cutting the corporate tax rate from 27% to 23% — by a narrow 26 votes in favor, 23 against, and one abstention. All 26 favorable votes came from government and allied benches; the opposition failed to reach a broader agreement with the executive, and Senator Pedro Araya's (PPD) abstention was read as a sign of openness that helped avert outright rejection. Senator Beatriz Sánchez warned that 'no es bueno aprobar reformas tan grandes por pocos votos' (it's not good to pass such major reforms by such a narrow margin), while critics inside and outside Congress branded the bill a disguised tax reform benefiting large business and warned of environmental and fiscal-responsibility gaps. With general approval secured, the bill moved to detailed review in the Senate's Environment, Labor, and Treasury (Hacienda) committees, with an amendment deadline set for July 6.