According to initial calculations, the Chilean population has clearly rejected a newly drafted constitution. In a referendum, 62 percent spoke out against the new basic law, as the Chilean electoral authority announced after counting nearly 90 percent of the vote on Sunday night (local time). Recent polls had already indicated a majority against the progressive design – but the result came as a surprise with this clarity.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric had already prepared for an eventual defeat. On Monday, he invited all political parties to the presidential palace to analyze the continuation of the constituent process, Chilean newspaper La Tercera reported. A Constituent Assembly had been working on the draft for a year.
The new Basic Law would have fundamentally changed the South American country. Among other things, the right to housing, health and education must be guaranteed. Moreover, in the future, half of all state organs should be filled with women. For the first time, the self-determination of indigenous communities would have been recognized in the country of approximately 19 million inhabitants.
Conservatives see text as leftist utopia
Left-wing politicians, activists and scientists hoped that a progressive, social and environmental constitution would send a signal to the whole world. However, many in conservative Chilean society viewed the text as a left-wing utopia and feared it could jeopardize Chile’s economic success, which is considered a model of sorts in the region. In addition, the right-wing opposition had launched a massive counter-campaign.
After casting his vote in his hometown of Punta Arenas on Chile’s southern tip, Boric assured “that regardless of the outcome, we will call for broad national unity from all sections of society, civil society organizations and political parties”. All voices must be heard for progress to be made – whether it is to implement the new constitution or to continue the constitutional process.
Former student leader Boric was elected Chile’s youngest president in December at the age of 35. Among other things, he promised a public education system and better health care modeled on the European welfare state.
The new constitution was one of the main demands, supported by Boric, by protesters who took to the streets in late 2019. Two years ago, nearly 80 percent of voters voted in favor of drafting a new basic law. The current text dates from the time of the military dictatorship under General Augusto Pinochet (1973 to 1990). State duties have been reduced to a minimum, education, health and pension systems and even water supply have been privatized.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
