Economist José Gabriel Palma strongly criticizes Chilean President Gabriel Boric's administration, asserting that it abandoned its initial campaign promises and adopted a more centrist approach, essentially becoming a "sixth Concertación government." He attributes this shift primarily to the appointment of Mario Marcel as Minister of Finance, a decision made shortly after Boric's election.
Palma predicts a negative legacy for Boric's government, highlighting two key aspects:
Palma argues the government's failure to implement its program stemmed from a lack of political will and an inability to navigate a challenging economic climate and a weak parliamentary majority. He points to the pension reform as a prime example, stating that the government did not moderate its initial proposal but rather abandoned it entirely, effectively perpetuating the existing system.
Palma highlights the crucial role of Mario Marcel, praising his economic management but criticizing his ideological alignment with the existing system, which contradicts the promises made by Boric's campaign.
Palma criticizes the current generation in power for being "individualistic" and prioritizing personal rights over social issues, such as poverty alleviation. He contends that there's a lack of willingness to address crucial social problems.
Palma attributes Chile's economic stagnation to the lack of productivity growth. He argues that the country needs to move beyond extractivism and develop new productivity growth engines to overcome this challenge.