For many citizens, the current constitution in Chile is no longer up to date. It dates back to the time of Pinochet's dictatorship. But the majority rejected a new version.
According to initial results, a second draft of a new constitution, which aims to replace the current one dating from Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship in 1980, was also rejected in Chile. According to information from the electoral commission on Sunday night, the rejection in the referendum was 55.7 percent, after almost 95 percent of the votes had been counted. 44.2 percent voted in favor of the new Basic Law.
Although voters rejected a very progressive project more than a year ago, the majority of them also voted against the right-wing opposition's proposal on Sunday. The process for a new constitution began in 2019, amid large demonstrations against inequality in the country. A new constitution was one of the main demands of social protests in 2019. State tasks are reduced to a minimum in the current constitution, which largely privatizes the education, health and pension systems.
The first draft was rejected
The first project was rejected by a large majority of citizens in September 2022. It was created by elected representatives dominated by left-wing forces. His text focused on social, indigenous, environmental and gender rights. Apparently this went too far for many people in the conservative country.
For the second project, an assembly dominated by conservative parties was elected. Its text was seen as more conservative and market-friendly. He focuses on the right to private property and strict rules on immigration and abortion.
Regression in terms of fundamental rights?
Critics – including the South American country's left-wing government – complained that the new constitution represented a rollback of certain basic rights. The bill could restrict the right to abortion, allow for the immediate expulsion of foreigners and establish tax advantages for homeowners.
Research had already suggested that this text would also fail. A rejection could be seen as a victory for left-leaning president Gabriel Boric. (APA/Portal/dpa)