A controversial remark by Diego Paulsen, the campaign chief for presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei, has sparked a heated debate surrounding the Boric government. Paulsen referred to the current administration as a «government of bums» that has been unable to provide concrete solutions for Chileans.
While the comment has drawn criticism, both Matthei’s circle and the candidate herself have stood by the statement, with some even suggesting they would have gone further. For instance, the leader of the UDI party, Deputy Guillermo Ramírez, stated that Paulsen «was actually referring to the incompetent, ineffective, and incapable people running the government due to their lack of experience and poor management.»
In a similar vein, but with a more scathing tone, RN Deputy Ximena Ossandón commented that «he (Paulsen) was alluding to the inefficiency and ineffectiveness, given the problems that people are facing.» She then added, «I think he was quite restrained; I would have called them a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings.»
Echoing these sentiments, the president of the Democratic party, Senator Ximena Rincón, acknowledged that while the term «sounds strong,» it is «a perfect description of the reality.» She elaborated, «What does ‘bum’ mean? It means lazy, irresponsible, incapable, a person who doesn’t work and doesn’t do what they’re supposed to do. I think feigning offense and not understanding that their mistakes, their lack of real work, is costing the citizens dearly, is what has exasperated the campaign spokesman or chief of Evelyn Matthei, and led him to use a word that, of course, sounds strong, but ultimately reflects the reality.»
Rincón went even further, stating, «I would have been harsher, I would have said it’s a frivolous government, because they don’t realize that their constant, sustained, and repeated mistakes in various matters ultimately cause such a big problem for the people.»
