Jorge Rathgeb

Jorge Evaldo Rathgeb Schifferli (born 28 December 1967) is a Chilean politician who serves as a member of Chilean Chamber of Deputies. A member of the centre-right party Renovación Nacional (RN), he has served as a Deputy representing the 22nd District (La Araucanía) since 2018, and previously held the same position for District 48 from 2014 to 2018.

He was re-elected in 2022 for the term 2022–2026. Prior to his parliamentary career, he served as a councillor in Traiguén (1996–2010), Governor of Malleco Province (2010–2011), and Regional Seremi of Agriculture in Araucanía during President Sebastián Piñera’s first term.

Rathgeb is noted for his work on agricultural and rural issues, defence of traditional cultural activities like Chilean rodeo, and roles in key investigative commissions during his time in Congress. He has also served as chief of the RN parliamentary caucus, and actively participates in commissions on Agriculture, Emergencies, and Internal Administration.

Biography Jorge Rathgeb was born on 28 December 1967 in Traiguén to Sergio Rathgeb Rodríguez and Elena Schifferli Luchsinger. He completed his secondary education locally and earned a law degree from the University of Concepción. He also completed postgraduate studies in municipal management and administrative probity.

As Governor of Malleco Province, he prioritized rural development and security policies, gaining recognition among agricultural producers. His tenure as Regional SEREMI of Agriculture focused on promoting innovation in farming and supporting small-scale producers.

Elected Deputy in 2013 for District 48 and re-elected en 2017 and 2021 for District 22 after electoral reform, Rathgeb has actively participated in legislative initiatives addressing agriculture, environmental emergencies, and regional development. He is noted for advocating the protection of Chilean rodeo and other cultural traditions. during a politically turbulent period marked by internal tensions within the Chile Vamos coalition and ongoing legislative challenges stemming from the social unrest of 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this role, he was responsible for coordinating the legislative agenda of the center-right bloc in the Chamber of Deputies, striving to maintain cohesion among RN members from diverse ideological backgrounds (liberal factions to rural-conservative sectors).