The Minister of the Interior, Carolina Toháavoided this Wednesday talking about a «condonation» for the debtors of the Credit with State Guarantee (CAE)by providing new details of the project to modernize the higher education financing system that the Executive promised to present in Congress before September.
«This was in the President’s program from day one. It is not an offer; it is a commitment. The idea of having this ready in September was announced a long time ago. It is not an announcement now,» said the Secretary of State, requested in Radio Universe on the criticism of the senator and helmsman of the Socialist Party (PS), Paulina Vodanovic, who last week described the proposal as an «electorally motivated offer» ahead of the municipal elections in October.
Tohá reiterated that the initiative’s financing model will be self-contained: «It is ruled out that it will be financed with the fiscal pact. It will have its own financing mechanism»he pointed.
Asked if the forgiveness will be for all debtors, she assured: «It will be a responsible solution to a problem that exists and it has to do with the fact that the payment of these student debts has not worked in the way that this legislation intended. «It has had shortcomings and they can be corrected without committing irresponsibility or inequities.»
When asked if we can talk about universal condonation, the minister indicated: «I think it is good that when this proposal is known, that debate will be held, but The emphasis with which all the ministers who have been leading this task are speaking is that this is a solution to a problemforks a solution that will be done in a responsible and fair manner».
«It’s not going to have the characteristics of a clean slate. It will have the characteristics of taking charge of a problem that everyone recognizes exists (…) We are already using another term to refer to. We are talking about a solution, a solution to a problem that exists, which has not worked as well as it would have wanted when it was designed.«he emphasized.
When asked «What is the concept that you would use if it is not condonation?», Tohá responded: «A solution to the CAE problem.»
«Everyone has to pay their debts, that is categorical (…) When one does not comply, it affects everyone, it is an obligation that is contracted. The solution is not to stop paying»he added.
According to data from the Ingresa Commission released this Wednesday, the total debt of the CAE exceeds 11.9 billion dollars.