The people of Chile went to the polls on Sunday to ratify or reject a new, progressive Constitution drawn up by a constituent assembly over the past couple of years. The size of the rejection vote, at around 62%, surprised many people.
The new Constitution as drafted was very extensive, and would have replaced the one currently in effect, enacted in 1980 by the Pinochet dictatorship and considered to be responsible for the vast privatization of education, health and pensions. In addition to enshrining the right to housing, health care and education for all, as well as gender diversity, the new document would have prioritized the Environment and Climate, and would have recognized sovereignty for Indigenous tribes within Chile, such as the large Mapuche group.
The voters seem to have felt that the new Constitution was too partisan, and went too far. Nonetheless, the Chilean public seems to agree that the Pinochet-era one must be replaced.
President Gabril Boric, who is 36 years old and considers himself a Socialist, was elected earlier this year on a platform of progressive change. He has agreed to accept the result of the plebiscite, and promises to create a new Constituent Assembly with broad participation from all Parties, for the purpose of redrafting the Constitution to be put again to the public for a vote.
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