After mass protests: Chile's president wants to replace cabinet completely

After government-critical mass protests in Chile for deep-seated social reforms, President Sebastián Piñera is ready for change - at least somewhat: he has asked all ministers of his government to resign, he said in a speech at the Presidential Palace on Saturday. He did not object to claims for repayment against himself.

Piñera responded to extreme displeasure in the country. More than a million people had assembled in the capital on Friday for a mass demonstration. The demonstrators also marched past the government building, where they called Piñera to resign and pushed for economic reform. They waved Chilean flags and sang resistance songs from the time of the dictatorship under General Augusto Pinochet (1973-90).

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Sebastian Pinera wants to promote "normalization"

Also in Valparaíso, Punta Arenas, Viña del Mar and other cities there were protest marches in which thousands of Chileans participated.

Santiago's Mayor Karla Rubilar spoke of a historic day. People have expressed "anger and outrage" that would have built up over years. Among other things, the frustration is expressed in low wages and pensions, high prices, high tuition and extreme differences between rich and poor in the country. The protesters demanded that something urgent be changed in their country.

Cancel state of emergency "if circumstances permit"

Piñera promised in his speech that he wanted to set up a new cabinet "to meet these new demands and to accept the new times." He also stated his intention to lift the state of emergency throughout the country on Monday night, "if circumstances permit". This should "support the normalization that the Chileans desire and deserve."

There were violent clashes on Friday in demonstrations in Santiago and other cities. At least 19 people died. The wave of protests had ignited just over a week ago in raising the prices for subway tickets in Santiago by four euro cents. It then quickly spread to the entire country - with demands that went far beyond the originally contested fares.

In the first few days, the demonstrations exploded in arson attacks and looting. As of Wednesday, the gatherings became massive protest rallies. These did not ebb away when Piñera reversed the increase in subway ticket prices and announced a package of measures a few days later that responded to some of the demonstrators' demands.

La multitudinaria, alegre y pacífica marcha hoy, donde los chilenos piden un chile más justo y solidario, abre grandes caminos de futuro y esperanza.Todos hemos escuchado el mensaje.Todos hemos cambiado.Con unidad y ayuda de Dios, recorreremos el camino a ese Chile mejor para todos

According to the National Institute for Human Rights (INDH), 585 protesters were injured and a further 2,840 people were arrested. The police spoke of 694 injured in their ranks, including 55 seriously injured.