Chile’s Mega Economic Bill Clears First Hurdle as Trouble Brews

Chilean President José Antonio Kast’s flagship economic bill cleared its first congressional hurdle on Thursday, but the vote gives the new administration little respite as it works to muster legislative support.

The Finance Committee in the lower house approved the bill in principle, with eight deputies in favor and four against, with one abstention. The initial approval clears the way for article-by-article debate and further voting next week as the government pushes an ambitious timeline for full passage in both houses of Congress by June.

Chilean President José Antonio Kast, center

Photographer: Tomas Cuesta/Bloomberg

Kast is counting on the bill’s provisions, including corporate tax cuts, investment incentives ...