Chile Prepares for Constitutional Vote

Chilean President Gabriel Boric has set a referendum for December 17th, where citizens will vote on adopting a new draft constitution.

This action could replace the existing constitution from Augusto Pinochet’s era.

The Constitutional Council, leaning to the right, revised the draft, which received final approval on November 7th.

Beatriz Hevia, from the Republican Party, handed the draft to President Boric. She emphasized its focus on freedom, justice, dignity, and equality.

The proposed constitution centers on critical rights such as freedom of conscience, expression, property, life, education, and teaching.

These are essential to Chile’s societal contract.

This draft is seen as more conservative, especially regarding the unborn’s rights, which has raised concerns about abortion laws.

Currently, Chile permits abortion in specific cases. President Boric, on social media, stated that Chileans will ultimately decide on this constitutional change.

He urged voters to learn about the draft and vote, highlighting its importance for Chile’s future.

This is the second attempt at constitutional reform after a previous draft was rejected in 2022. The country’s current constitution from 1980 is still in place.

The previous proposal had suggested equal gender representation in government roles and autonomy for regional administrations.

It also put forward a public system for essential services while allowing private alternatives.

The majority voted against the earlier draft, revealing a reluctance to embrace new reforms.

Research suggested that the president’s popularity had a significant effect on the vote. Now, Chile faces a crucial decision that will shape its legislative and societal direction.

Background

The initial constitutional proposal in 2022 envisioned a transformative Chile. It aimed for equal gender representation and recognized indigenous rights.

The proposal also sought to decentralize power, giving more autonomy to local governments. This reflected a shift towards acknowledging regional diversity.

Public services like education, healthcare, and pensions were to be nationally managed. However, this provision allowed for private-sector participation.

The referendum on this proposal saw a decisive rejection, with over 61% voting against it. This was the first mandatory vote in Chile since 2012.

The rejection was partly attributed to concerns over changes to the pension system. The proposed end to individual pension fund capitalization was controversial.

It challenged the existing system where people save independently for retirement.

President Boric’s approval ratings also influenced the outcome. In August 2022, 56% disapproved of his administration.

The upcoming vote presents another critical juncture. Chilean citizens will again decide the trajectory of their nation’s governance structure.