Kaiser Embarks on Nationwide Campaign Tour, Addresses Salary Concerns
Santiago, Chile – national libertarian Party (NLP) presidential candidate Johannes Kaiser launched his campaign tour this Tuesday with the unveiling of a new campaign bus, beginning a journey from Arica to Punta Arenas scheduled to conclude November 12th. He recently reached the Coquimbo region and plans activities in Arica tomorrow.
The tour will require Kaiser to be largely absent from his congressional duties throughout October, returning only for crucial budget sessions before the November 16th election. However, Kaiser has proactively addressed potential criticism regarding his continued receipt of a parliamentary salary while campaigning.
Responding to attacks from rival candidate Franco Parisi, Kaiser confirmed an agreement with the Chamber of Deputies to forgo his salary for the duration of the campaign. “From now on, I will be on leave without pay,” Kaiser stated. “I will return for budget sessions and fulfill those obligations, but I won’t be fully present in Congress. We’ve discussed this with the administration to ensure a leave of absence without salary, and a portion of my funds will be donated.” Sources close to Kaiser indicate the agreement extends through the end of the campaign on November 13th.
The issue arose following pointed criticism from People’s Party (PDG) candidate Franco parisi, who has repeatedly accused Kaiser of benefiting from a conflict of interest. Parisi has proposed a “kaiser Law” requiring candidates seeking elected office to resign from their current parliamentary positions six months prior to the election.
“Kaiser should have resigned long ago,” Parisi asserted. “He continues to receive his deputy’s salary and enjoys all the privileges of power. That is corruption.”
During a recent televised debate, Parisi directly challenged Kaiser, recalling a previous exchange: “Four months ago, I asked you if you would relinquish your parliamentary salary and donate it. You told me no, that you would continue working. I checked the records and you’ve missed approximately seven days already. do you think that’s fair? Is it right to be a candidate funded by Parliament, on top of all your parliamentary benefits?”
Kaiser last attended Congress on Monday, successfully shepherding a bill through a general vote that mandates the Legal Medical Service (SML) to identify the remains of missing detainees currently in their custody.