2027 Budget Reaches the Chamber as Senators Draft Alternative to Kast's Security Reform

The 2027 budget, submitted September 30, was taken up by the Chamber of Deputies on October 5. Total spending rises 1.5% over projected 2026 execution; security gets CLP 7 trillion (+9.1%), mainly for 1,000 new Carabineros positions, while Liceos Bicentenario (-46.71%) and Culture face cuts. The mixed special committee is expected to vote the items October 26-28. Kast's August 10 constitutional reform (a 120-day security state of exception) is to be withdrawn once an alternative text by senators Longton (RN), Squella (Republicanos) and Araya (PPD) is filed; it needs 29 Senate votes and the governing coalition reportedly has 26.