For the second time in two years, Chileans are rejecting the adoption of a new constitution. The no vote won the referendum with over 55% of the vote. Chile therefore maintains the constitution drawn up during the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. After the failed referendum of September 2022 – when the population, with 61.9% of the vote, rejected the proposal drawn up by the Constitutional Convention with a progressive majority – Chileans also decreed the failure of the Charter proposal drawn up by the Constitutional Council with a right-wing majority.
The vote ends a turbulent phase in recent Chilean history that lasted 1,500 days and – as already announced by all political forces in the country – there will be no new constitutional process.
The “Yes” committee immediately acknowledged defeat. When the count had not yet reached a third of the sections, Independent Democratic Union (UDI) Senator Javier Macaya said in a short statement: “Chileans are tired of the debate about the constitutional process. The discourse is over. Everyone wants to overcome this phase and devote ourselves to the needs of the population. Let us go to sleep peacefully.” Instead, the “Yes” committee waited for the final results to be announced. In a press statement, Socialist Party leader Paulina Vodanovic said that “the people have clearly expressed their position.” “There will be no new constitutional process. “Starting tomorrow, we will work to align the real Chilean agenda with political activities and provide answers to the most important needs: security, health, work and pensions,” he concluded.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA