Expert Highlights Instability in Chilean Public Administration

Santiago, Chile – May 28, 2025 – A recent radio interview on La Metro FM sheds light on significant issues within Chile's public administration. José Valenzuela, Director of Incidence at Pivotes, a public incidence center, highlighted the urgent need to differentiate between government and administration roles. Valenzuela emphasized that while governments change with elections, administration should remain relatively stable. He pointed out that in Chile, a large number of positions are subject to change with each new government, leading to instability. "In Chile, there are too many positions that can change," Valenzuela stated, "A new government can remove around 2500 people from the administration overnight and replace them with people of their own choosing." This practice, he noted, is not common in countries with well-functioning systems. The interview also touched on the excessive number of advisors in the government, with Valenzuela estimating around 8000 advisors, many of whom duplicate the roles of permanent staff. This situation, he explained, is detrimental to the stability and efficiency of public services. The interview concludes with a call for reform to create a more sustainable and effective Chilean public administration. The insights offered by Valenzuela provide a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion about improving governance in Chile.