The COVID-19 Pandemic in Chile: Challenges of Intergovernmental Relations and Coordination in a Decentralized Unitary State

Abstract

The paper explores the relationship between national and subnational authorities in Chile in the context of the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly analyzing the principle of coordination and the complexities of the state of emergency. The analysis is carried out in light of the constitutional provisions of the Chilean political system. Although subnational authorities developed significant activities to address the effects of the pandemic in their respective territories, particularly the local mayors, this was not accompanied by legal or practical reforms to integrate institutional or procedural changes to incorporate the subnational levels of government in the decision-making processes. During this state of emergency, the formal and informal institutions failed to be accountable for the necessary coordination of their competences at national, regional and local levels. Therefore, the COVID-19 pandemic, occurring during a nationwide constitution-making debate in Chile, opened the opportunity to discuss institutions and arrangements that could lead to an effective and legitimate system of intergovernmental relations in a decentralized unitary state.