Plaza and her resignation: "The UDI has lost the essence of what it once was"

SANTIAGO.- The mayor of Huechuraba, Carolina Plaza, who after 19 years of membership has resigned from the Independent Democratic Union Party (UDI) of the right due to the lack of support her party offered her while she was being accused of financial irregularities in her municipality, stated this morning that “the UDI is not what it once was”.

During an interview with Radio Cooperativa, Plaza explained that her decision to distance herself from the party stems from the financial irregularity charges that she has denied:  “I have denied the charges and I continue to be accused…I am disappointed”.

While referring to the accusations and statements exchanged with Joaquín Lavín, Plaza stated, “he told me that he would speak for his son-in-law, but that he did not need documents to defend him.  If all this had happened to Juanito Perez, would this have been the case?”

Concerning her resignation, the mayor maintains, “it concurs with my opinion and, though it is difficult, I am doing this because it is what I believe is right”.  While speaking about the upcoming municipal elections, Plaza asserted, “I will run as an independent candidate and my neighbors will be the ones to decide.  In June, I will begin to request signatures so that I may run”.