Government deems Zaldivar´s accusation of “vote buying” absurd

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SANTIAGO.- The statements made yesterday by Senator Adolfo Zaldívar, who accused the Executive Branch of wanting to "buy votes" in order to receive resources for Transantiago in Parliament was met with clear-cut rejection by the government.

Minister of the Interior, Belisario Velasco, did not hesitate to classify this allegation as "absurd".  "I do not endorse these statements and I absolutely reject them", he added energetically.

The state secretary reiterated that the government would not intervene "for any reason" in the internal conflict that is currently affecting the Christian Democratic Party, stemming from the latest actions taken by the "red-headed" senator, which have gone against the party leadership.

This was how he reasserted that La Moneda "would not and does not take action against party members who hold government positions and who at the same time identify themselves with particular party positions. Those people can stay calm".

Velasco also stressed that Zaldívar's fellow party members who have lined up with him and hold government positions, "will remain in their positions as long as they maintain the President’s trust".