Chile's Special Joint Budget Committee began voting on the 2027 budget on Monday, November 2, with a decision that surprised Congress: the Finance Ministry did not file amendments to restore the rejected budget items of the Electoral Service (Servel) and the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation. It was a practice that had been repeated for some 30 years, according to the committee chair, Senator Javier Macaya (UDI), quoted by The Clinic.
The session also started with a record 3,845 amendments, almost double last year's, and with the opposition threatening to cut funding for the office of Justice Minister Fernando Rabat. These are the figures and what comes next.
How the 2027 budget reaches the joint committee
The bill has 33 items. The five joint subcommittees approved 13 in full and 14 in part, left 4 pending and rejected 2: those of Servel and the Science Ministry, Budget Director José Pablo Gómez detailed, according to La Tercera. On Monday the committee approved the items for the Presidency, Congress and the Mining Ministry, Radio Universidad de Chile reported.
| Indicator | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Budget items | 33 | La Tercera |
| Amendments filed | 3,845 (almost double 2025) | Diario Concepción |
| Lawmakers' amendments declared admissible | 2,341 | Diario Concepción |
| Government amendments | 66, "zero-sum" across 16 items | Diario Concepción, CNN Chile |
| Proposed spending growth | 1.5% over 2026 | Government of Chile |
The government proposed spending 1.5% more than this year, as explained in the article on how much the 2027 budget raises spending.
The Servel and science cuts in the 2027 budget
The Fourth Joint Subcommittee rejected the Servel item on October 6, by three votes to one with one abstention. Its chair, Senator Yasna Provoste (DC), explained that rejecting it was "the only way" to ask the government to review the cut, since Congress cannot raise spending, according to T13. Servel's board warned that without those funds systems certification and timely results in the 2028-2029 electoral cycle are at risk.
| Item | Proposed cut | Detail | Rejected in subcommittee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electoral Service | 12% (about CLP 4 billion less than requested) | Electoral Processes program: −17.5% | October 6 |
| Science Ministry | 6.4% (almost CLP 37 billion) | More than CLP 31.5 billion less for research and laboratories; Becas Chile scholarships almost CLP 2 billion less | October 21 |
Sources: Diario Concepción for percentages and amounts, and T13 for Becas Chile. The science figures differ across outlets: T13 reported a 7.4% cut for the ministry in October and Diario Concepción, 6.4%. Servel chair Pamela Figueroa had said the cut "will affect trust not only in Servel, it will affect trust in the political system and in democracy."
What the Finance Ministry said and how the opposition responds
Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz denied a strategy of moving the debate to the Chamber of Deputies, where the ruling coalition has a majority: "Some subcommittees rejected items. Out of respect for those subcommittees, well, we came with the items rejected, that is our position, it is not a strategy," he said, according to La Tercera. The budget director said restoring items is not mandatory and that, if done, it will be "at the value proposed by the executive," The Clinic quoted.
Because the amendments were not filed by the deadline, which expired on October 28, the committee needs unanimity to accept them. The opposition said it will not give it if the government insists on the same figures. "If it is going to restore the same thing we already rejected, that is clearly not the way," Provoste said, according to ADN Radio. Senator Daniella Cicardini (PS) accused the government of "limitless arrogance" and Senator Daniel Núñez (PC) called the decision "unprecedented."
- Justice: Deputy Jorge Brito (FA) asked for a separate vote on the item and for no funding for Minister Rabat's office while he remains in post, over the sentence-reduction crisis.
- Education: the opposition objected to cuts to the Yo Elijo Mi PC computer program, Bicentennial high schools and the Local Public Education Services.
- Personal data: the government proposed provisions to cross-check databases so benefits do not go to ineligible people; Cicardini asked for a ruling from the Comptroller.
- Regional governments: the cut was set at 3% after a deal with Quiroz, down from the initial 7% to 9%, according to CNN Chile.
If the committee does not restore the items, its report will go out with Servel and Science rejected and the debate will move to the Chamber floor, where the government has a majority to approve the restorations as filed, according to The Clinic. Deputy Agustín Romero (Republicans), chair of the Finance Committee, asked in the session whether that route was possible. The executive said, in any case, that it will file the amendments when each item is reviewed, according to Radio Universidad de Chile.
Government spokesman Gonzalo Arenas said the number of amendments is "surprising" and that the executive will seek "reasonable agreements with the opposition," CNN Chile reported. The Justice crisis is explained in the article on the sentence reductions for 56 convicts.
The 2027 budget timetable until it is passed
| Stage | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Vote in the Special Joint Committee | From November 2, Tuesday to Friday this week | CNN Chile |
| Chamber of Deputies floor | From next week | ADN Radio |
| Planned passage by Congress | November 25 | Diario Concepción |
| Constitutional deadline | November 29 (60 days) | Diario Concepción |
CNN Chile cited November 30 as the hard deadline; counting 60 days from the bill's filing on September 30 gives the 29th. The economic backdrop weighs: unemployment reached 9.8% in July-September, and the government defends an austere budget.
Frequently asked questions
Which 2027 budget items were rejected?
Those of the Electoral Service and the Science Ministry, rejected in their subcommittees on October 6 and 21.
Why is it news that the Finance Ministry did not restore them?
Because for some 30 years the executive filed amendments in the joint committee to restore what subcommittees rejected. This time it did not do so by the deadline.
Can Congress increase spending?
No. It can only approve, reduce or reject. Restoring funds depends on the executive.
When will the 2027 budget be approved?
Congress plans to pass it on November 25; the constitutional deadline is November 29.
