Demonstrators outside the Presidential Palace, known as La Moneda, in Santiago, Chile where President Sebastian Pinera shuffled his cabinet amid a crisis
Demonstrators outside the Presidential Palace, known as La Moneda, in Santiago, Chile where President Sebastian Pinera shuffled his cabinet amid a crisis AFP / Martin BERNETTI

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera unveiled a major cabinet reshuffle on Monday as he battles to find a response to 10 days of street protests that have left at least 20 people dead.

Pinera replaced eight ministers -- a third of his cabinet -- including the highly unpopular Interior Minister Andres Chadwick, replacing him with Gonzalo Blumel.

Among those who survived the cull was Foreign Minister Teodoro Ribera.

Protesters have been demanding Pinera's resignation as anger over economic and social inequality fuelled the country's worst civil unrest in decades.

The announcement came amid fresh protests outside the presidential palace in central Santiago, where several dozen demonstrators were chanting: "Pinera, listen up, go to hell."

Finance Minister Felipe Larrain was replaced by liberal economist Ignacio Briones. Larrain was criticized last month for recommending that "romantics" buy flowers after announcing that inflation hadn't increased and flowers were even cheaper.

Also on the way out was Economy Minister Andres Fontaine who fell foul of public opinion when he advised disgruntled workers to "get up earlier" to avoid an increase in metro prices at peak hours of travel. He will be replaced by Lucas Palacio, currently the deputy minister for works.

The three-percent increase in ticket prices was the spark that triggered the upswell of civic unrest.

Former Santiago governor Karla Rubilar, who was praised for her sympathetic reaction to protesters, has been made minister for the general secretariat of the government.

Pinera announced plans for the cabinet overhaul on Saturday, his third reshuffle in 15 months.

Last week he offered a raft of measures aimed at calming the public ire, including a hike in the minimum wage and pensions, some reductions in health care costs, and a streamlining of parliament.

Speaking at the presidential palace Monday, Pinera said that "these measures won't solve all our problems but they are an important first step."

"They reflect the firm will of our government and the strong commitment of each of us in favor of a socially more just and equitable Chile," said Pinera, a wealthy businessman who was elected to a second term in March 2018, having previously served as president between 2010 and 2014.