Chilean voters reject proposed conservative constitution to replace current dictatorship-era text

Chilean voters have rejected a proposed conservative constitution, opting to retain the existing text dating back to the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship, as announced on Sunday. This referendum followed a similar rejection over a year ago of a proposed constitution drafted by a left-leaning convention, renowned as one of the world’s most progressive charters.

With 99.65% of votes tallied, approximately 55.76% of voters opposed the new text, while 44.24% favored it. Consequently, the 1980 constitution, originally drafted during Pinochet’s authoritarian rule and subsequently amended, will persist.

In response to the dual rejections, Leftist President Gabriel Boric declared that his administration would not pursue a third constitutional rewrite. Instead, the focus would shift to amending the current constitution through legislative processes, particularly for pension and tax reforms.

Boric acknowledged the polarization evident in the country and expressed that the referendum outcomes indicated the constitutional process had not aligned with the broader aspiration for a collectively crafted new constitution.

Efforts to revise the constitution emerged in the aftermath of substantial anti-inequality protests in October 2019, prompting lawmakers to propose constitutional changes to address societal grievances.

The most recent draft, perceived as more conservative than the Pinochet-era constitution, was primarily authored by the country’s right-wing Republican Party, led by Jose Antonio Kast. The proposed 216-article constitution, developed over several years, featured provisions emphasizing private property rights, stringent regulations on immigration and abortion, and a contentious article stating “the law protects the life of the unborn,” raising concerns about potential restrictions on abortion in Chile.

The rejection of both drafts underscores the deep political polarization within Chile. President Boric acknowledged the divisions and, in a televised address, stated that the country’s differences had not allowed for a consensus, leading to the decision not to pursue a third constitutional attempt.

The failure of the constitutional processes has left many citizens fatigued, particularly after ten elections within less than two and a half years. Despite the challenges, voting remains compulsory in Chile. Political analysts anticipate that the constitutional issue will play a significant role in the upcoming presidential elections, reflecting the enduring impact of the prolonged and contentious constitutional conversations in the country.