Three UDI deputies launched, on 21 October, the campaign “El Congreso se queda en Valparaíso”. Macarena Santelices, Hotuiti Teao and Sergio Bobadilla are reacting to a bill that would allow certain sessions in Santiago. This is a campaign. It is not the final floor vote.

On Monday, 19 October, a mixed commission unanimously approved a text amending Law 18.678. BioBioChile’s account speaks of extraordinary or special sessions in Santiago, in exceptional situations, with the backing of three-quarters of the parliamentary committees. The seat, since 1990, remains Valparaíso. The bill, its sponsors say, does not move Congress. The mixed-commission report still has to be ratified by the Senate and the Chamber.

Santelices, an independent on UDI lists, called for a fight to keep Parliament in the provinces. Teao, from District 7 in the Valparaíso region, raised on Rapa Nui, spoke of centralism: every procedure seems taken from far away. Bobadilla, from Biobío, deputy group vice-leader, said that for the regions, history and decentralisation, Congress stays in Valparaíso. He had warned that sessions in Santiago could open a gradual transfer. That is their position, not a law.

Deputies already do part of their work in the former Congress in Santiago, in committees and meetings. Chamber sessions remain, mainly, in Valparaíso. Headlines that “authorise” a move close a step the floors have not taken.

La Tercera reported the campaign. G5noticias, on Tuesday, replayed UDI criticism of centralism and costs. “Millionaire” costs are a political charge, not an audit published with the campaign. This article does not announce a seat move, does not announce a law in force and does not announce a floor vote.

Congress has sat in Valparaíso since 1990. On Monday a commission voted. On Wednesday a slogan started. Between them a report still needs ratification.

Image: LuisCG11, National Congress of Chile, Valparaiso, 7 April 2024, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; the building, not Wednesdays campaign.

Sources consulted: UDI deputies counter-attack: El Congreso se queda en Valparaiso campaign - La Tercera, 21 October 2026; Mixed commission approves that Congress may sit extraordinarily in Santiago - BioBioChile, 19 October 2026.