Dismissal will come into force as soon as the former militant of the Socialist Party is officially notified
The Chilean Constitutional Court dismissed Senator Isabel Allende, accepting an appeal filed by opposition deputies on purchase failed by the Government of the Father’s House, the deposed president Salvador Allende (1970-1973).
According to local press, the decision made on Thursday was supported by most court judges and the dismissal will come into force as soon as the former socialist militant is officially notified.
Chilean government spokeswoman Aysén Etcheverry said on Thursday that the court’s decision, “in the case of a democratically elected senator and based on the information we have before us, would establish a serious precedent.”
“As an executive power, it is evident that it is our duty to respect the decisions of the Constitutional Court, but we cannot fail to regret,” said the minister.
“Senator Isabel Allende represents a political, professional and personal history of democratic commitment that profoundly marked the history of our country. We are convinced that she and her family acted in good faith,” he added.
The Chilean government had announced on December 31 the purchase of the residence for 933 million pesos (887 thousand euros), with the aim of converting it into a museum.
The operation involved the signing of contracts with then -Chilean Defense Minister Maya Fernández, granddaughter of Salvador Allende, and with Isabel Allende, both constitutionally prohibited from entering into contracts with the state for occupying public office.
Maya Fernández, her brother and the two daughters of former Chilean president are the four heirs of the house bought in 1953 and in which Allende lived until 1971, a year after taking office.
Even before the sentence, Isabel Allende said that “President Allende’s memory will remain intact. The sentence does not stain it. Today there will be no museum, but the streets and squares that have their name throughout Chile and around the world will remain, as are their political legacy and the affection of millions of their compatriots.”
“In my 30 years as a civil servant, I have never used my position for personal gain and always respected the constitution and laws,” Allende added in a statement.
The appeal had been presented by deputies of the far-right republican party and members of the Chilean right-wing coalition, which brings together national renewal and independent democratic union.
At a press conference, Republican President Arturo Squella accused Isabel Allende of “having committed a constitutional offense.”
“Parliamentarians cannot enter into contracts with the state, and a person who has held the position for more than 30 years could not ignore this cause of dismissal,” he added.
The controversy around the house had already led, on March 10, Maya Fernández to dismiss.
Marcela Sandoval, then Minister of Public Heritage, had already been fired in January due to the same case.
