ON
← Back to feed
Quiroz chills project to declare a holiday on September 17: "For now we are not sponsoring it"
CL🏛️ PoliticsCenter12 days ago

Quiroz chills project to declare a holiday on September 17: "For now we are not sponsoring it"

The article reports on the cautious stance taken by Chile's Minister of Finance, Jorge Quiroz, regarding a legislative proposal by deputy Zandra Parisi (PDG) to declare September 17th, 2026, a national holiday. The initiative aims to extend the celebrations of Chile's National Day, which typically falls on September 18th, by adding an extra day. When asked if the government would support the bill, Quiroz stated that La Moneda currently does not plan to sponsor it, though he acknowledged that its effects need to be evaluated before making a final decision. He emphasized that under current law, new holidays require executive sponsorship and that his ministry has concerns about potential economic impacts, including lost workdays. Quiroz noted that Chile already has a established legal framework for determining holidays and that creating new ones requires careful consideration.

Chile’s government has signaled caution regarding a proposal to declare September 17th a national holiday in 2026, despite growing parliamentary pressure and public interest in extending the celebrations of Independence Day. The initiative was introduced by Deputy Zandra Parisi of the Democratic Alliance (PDG) with the aim of adding one extra day off to stretch the patriotic festivities from September 17th through September 20th. However, Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz made clear that the administration is not currently supporting the measure, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation before making a final decision. Quiroz stated during a recent interview that while the government recognizes the significance of the proposal, it must assess its potential economic and labor impacts. He noted that Chile already has a legal framework governing holidays and cautioned against creating new days off that could lead to lost workdays and negative effects on the economy. “We have a legal order already established for holidays,” Quiroz said. “We have reservations about this, so we are observing it, but we are not sponsoring it.” The finance minister added that the government would formally review the proposal alongside its political team. His comments came after he learned of the initiative earlier in the week, highlighting the complexity of balancing public sentiment with economic considerations. While Quiroz did not rule out future support, his remarks left the door open for further discussion, albeit with no immediate backing from the executive branch. The debate over the proposed holiday has intensified amid broader concerns about employment and economic stability in Chile. Earlier this week, leaders from the Independent Democratic Union (UDI) presented their proposal titled “More Work for Chile Now” to Labor Minister Tomás Rau. The plan includes both short-term and long-term strategies aimed at addressing the country's high unemployment rate, which stands at 9.4 percent. Among the immediate measures suggested were adjusting the Unified Employment Subsidy to help young job seekers enter the workforce and accelerating spending under the Ministry of Public Works and the Regional Development Corporation (Subdere). The UDI proposal also called for streamlining environmental approval processes to unlock thousands of jobs stuck in bureaucratic limbo and reducing administrative hurdles for employers seeking to hire more workers. For mid-term actions, the group recommended expediting the processing of infrastructure projects and improving flexibility in vacation policies to reduce hiring constraints. Long-term goals included reducing labor-related litigation, reforming labor inspection practices, and promoting vocational training programs tailored to women and youth. Despite these efforts, the issue of whether to extend the national holiday remains contentious within the government. Initially, officials had dismissed the idea outright, citing constitutional principles that reserve the power to establish holidays solely to the president due to their economic implications. However, internal divisions have emerged, with some factions within the ruling coalition showing openness to the proposal, particularly given its potential benefits for sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and retail. Deputy Jorge Alessandri, who chairs the Chamber of Deputies, acknowledged the desire to celebrate Independence Day with additional days off but emphasized the need to prioritize economic recovery. “Not everyone believes the government plans to sponsor this specific holiday,” he said, reflecting the cautious stance taken by many lawmakers. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Quiroz’s public statements have created uncertainty among legislators. Although privately he has expressed reservations, publicly he has maintained a measured tone, suggesting that the proposal deserves consideration from multiple perspectives. This ambiguity has fueled speculation that the government might reconsider its position, especially as discussions continue within the administration. In a recent radio interview, Biminister of Mining and Economy Daniel Mas echoed the need for evaluation, noting that while additional days off could benefit certain industries, they could also negatively affect businesses that remain closed during holidays. “We need more activity rather than less,” he remarked, underscoring the delicate balance being weighed by policymakers. With the official response still pending, the fate of the proposed holiday hangs in the balance, reflecting the complex interplay between public expectations, economic realities, and legislative dynamics in Chile.

5 reports

La Tercera logoLa TerceraIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 7512 days ago
Government entangles itself for a holiday for the 17-S before parliamentary pressure and opening of the UDI to give freedom of action

The Chilean government is facing pressure from parliamentarians to extend the Patria Segunda holiday to include September 17th, amid internal divisions within the UDI party and uncertainty over whether the executive will support the proposal. Initially dismissed by the government, the idea was backed by some members of the opposition and parts of the ruling coalition, particularly due to potential economic benefits for tourism and commerce. The legislative chamber has delayed processing the motion, awaiting clarity from the presidency on whether to endorse the additional holiday. While some officials suggest the government may not support the change, others have left room for consideration, highlighting the complexity and political tensions surrounding the issue.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of the political debate, showing both the push from parliamentary factions and the cautious stance of the executive. It highlights differing opinions within the government and among legislators without overtly favoring one side. The tone remains neutral, focusing

Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed information about the political debate around extending the national holiday on September 17th, including references to specific individuals like Zandra Parisi and Jorge Alessandri, as well as the legal framework regarding holidays being the exclusive initiative of the

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the situation with some neutrality but includes phrases such as 'idea peregrina' and 'serio riesgo de ser una mera petición simbólica,' which may imply judgment rather than objective analysis. The tone remains mostly balanced but has moments where it leans slightly toward critic

La Tercera logoLa TerceraIndependent🔒CenterFactual 75Objective 8013 days ago
Quiroz chills project to declare a holiday on September 17: "For now we are not sponsoring it"

The article reports on the cautious stance taken by Chile's Minister of Finance, Jorge Quiroz, regarding a legislative proposal by deputy Zandra Parisi (PDG) to declare September 17th, 2026, a national holiday. The initiative aims to extend the celebrations of Chile's National Day, which typically falls on September 18th, by adding an extra day. When asked if the government would support the bill, Quiroz stated that La Moneda currently does not plan to sponsor it, though he acknowledged that its effects need to be evaluated before making a final decision. He emphasized that under current law, new holidays require executive sponsorship and that his ministry has concerns about potential economic impacts, including lost workdays. Quiroz noted that Chile already has a established legal framework for determining holidays and that creating new ones requires careful consideration.

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a politically sensitive issue involving a proposed change to national holidays, the framing remains balanced. The minister expresses caution and outlines legal constraints without overtly criticizing or endorsing the proposal. There is no clear ideological leaning in the措

Why factuality (75): The article reports directly on statements made by Minister Jorge Quiroz regarding the proposed law to declare September 17th a national holiday. It accurately reflects his cautious stance and mentions the legal requirements for such initiatives. The information aligns with what would be expected fr

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, presenting both the minister's position and the implications of the proposal without overt bias. The language is professional and avoids emotionally charged terms, maintaining a balanced perspective.

La Tercera logoLa TerceraIndependent🔒CenterFactual 75Objective 8017 days ago
Technical desk of the UDI delivers proposal More work for Chile now to Minister Tomás Rau

On Friday at 12:30 PM, leaders of the UDI party will deliver a proposal titled 'Más Trabajo para Chile Ahora' to Labor Minister Tomás Rau. The proposal was developed by a group including parliamentarians, former officials, and experts to address Chile's employment crisis. It highlights high levels of labor pessimism and increased depression among unemployed individuals, emphasizing the need for concrete solutions rather than further diagnoses. Key short-term proposals include adjusting the Unified Employment Subsidy and accelerating spending in public works and the Subdere agency. Medium-term measures focus on streamlining environmental assessments and reducing bureaucratic delays. The document calls for prioritizing job creation, particularly for women and young people, and suggests structural reforms to labor contracts and vacation flexibility.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the UDI's proposal as a comprehensive effort to address Chile's employment crisis, focusing on both immediate and medium-term solutions. While the content is politically charged due to its association with a specific political party, the framing remains balanced, presenting theU

Why factuality (75): The article reports on a meeting where the UDI delivered a proposal to address the employment crisis. It provides details about participants, the content of the proposal, and quotes from officials. While there is no primary source, the information aligns with typical reporting on political proposals

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, focusing on the event and quoting officials without apparent bias. The language is informative and avoids emotionally charged terms.

BioBioChile logoBioBioChileIndependentCenterFactual 60Objective 5521 days ago
After controversy over Boric: UDI wants former presidents to start dieting at 65

The article reports on a political controversy involving President Gabriel Boric of Chile, where the center-right UDI party is proposing legislation that would allow former presidents to receive a pension starting at age 65. This proposal has sparked debate, particularly because current rules require former presidents to wait until age 70 to qualify for the pension. The article highlights the political implications of this proposed change, suggesting it could affect future governance and social welfare policies.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the issue as a policy proposal by the UDI party without overtly endorsing or criticizing the idea. It frames the controversy around the potential impact on governance and social policy rather than taking a clear ideological stance. While the topic is politically charged, the phr

Why factuality (60): This article only mentions the title of a piece and does not provide any substantive content related to the primary source document or the journalism program. It appears to be incomplete or placeholder text, making it difficult to assess factual accuracy. No information is given about the topic or t

Why objectivity (55): The article is extremely brief and lacks any meaningful content or perspective. It does not attempt to frame the issue objectively or provide any analysis, making it hard to evaluate for objectivity.

La Tercera logoLa TerceraIndependent🔒ConservativeFactual 60Objective 5522 days ago
UDI to re-enter project for ex-presidents' diet to be paid from age 65 after controversial publication of Boric

The Union Democratic Independent (UDI) parliamentary faction announced plans to reintroduce a bill that would require former presidents in Chile to receive their pension benefits starting at age 65 for men and 60 for women. The initiative was previously rejected in September 2025 due to lack of quorum. The decision follows the publication by former President Gabriel Boric, who shared an excerpt from an interview where he referred to members of the government as 'idiot'. UDI lawmakers linked this incident to broader concerns about respect for institutions and called for accountability. They argue that former leaders, while deserving of respect for their roles, must also demonstrate responsibility and republican values. The proposal aims to align pension payments with the legal retirement age, addressing fiscal concerns amid economic challenges.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the issue as a matter of fiscal responsibility and institutional integrity, criticizing former President Boric for his rhetoric and linking it to broader concerns about accountability. It emphasizes the need for former leaders to uphold republican values, which aligns with right-w

Why factuality (60): The article covers a political dispute involving former President Boric and current President Kast but lacks any connection to the primary source document. It provides factual background on the situation.

Why objectivity (55): The article clearly favors the current administration's viewpoint, using derogatory language towards Boric and defending Kast's position without balanced representation.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories