Chile's president proposes 2.7% spending increase in 2025 budget By Reuters
SANTIAGO – The Chilean government is proposing a 2.7% annual increase in its 2025 budget, President Gabriel Boric said on Sunday, adding that the government will increase pensions, health and focus on increasing security in the country.
Boric said the budget will focus on increasing safety for the citizens of Chile, with a justice and security budget of more than 1.5 billion dollars more than this year, helping to put more police officers on the streets, increase the salaries of officials and invest more in prisons.
“Ensuring your right to security is the first priority of my government,” Boric said on national television, adding that the proposal would increase the security budget by 15% over three years.
The South American government will also look to limit immigration, he said. Boric has toughened his tone on illegal immigration in recent months, saying he would deport immigrants who did not go through the official biometric registration process.
Boric raised concerns this week at the United Nations about the crisis in Venezuela, which has seen a quarter of its population migrate in 10 years, saying his country was not in a position to accept more migrants.
The 2025 budget, Boric added, will also help increase pensions, the health sector, education and culture. Resources for Chile's vaccination programs will increase by 42%, he said.
The proposal also includes facilities to digitize the permit procedures for sector 240, which Boric said should accelerate investment.
Earlier this month, Chile's central bank said it expected inflation to close this year at 4.5% before easing to 3.6% next year, while reducing its economic growth forecast to between 2.25% and 2.75% from the previous forecast. of up to 3%.
Boric said the government is aiming for 2.6% growth.
The government will present the bill to Congress on Monday and lawmakers will have 60 days before deciding whether to approve it. Congress recently passed a new tax bill that should bring in an additional $1.2 billion in state coffers.
