Chileans reject conservative constitution to replace dictatorship-era charter
NPR Online NewsDec 29, 2023
Chile Votes to Reject New Constitution
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Image copyright: Sebastián Vivallo Oñate/Agencia Makro/Getty Images
The Facts
The people of Chile have rejected a newly proposed constitution following a national referendum on Sunday. Of the 83% of the electorate to participate, 56% voted against the new legislation, while 44% of voters supported its introduction.
Chile's current constitution was drafted in 1980 under the rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet, though it has been reformed 70 times since. Sunday's result follows a previous referendum in 2022, which saw 66% of voters reject a separate new draft constitution.
The Spin
Narrative A
While most Chileans desire a modernized constitution, the reality remains that the country's public will only support a text which sensibly changes the nation's landscape instead of attempting to codify left- or right-wing ideology. The country's radical swings in policy direction between differing governments have so far made constitutional unity impossible — consensus must be made before Chile's outdated foundations can finally change.
Narrative B
Constitutional referendums in Chile have been marred by a widespread lack of interest in national politics. A falling economy and a rise in crime in recent years has led many to lose faith in democracy. The governing actors of Chile must bring return confidence in the current capabilities of the state — only then will the public truly believe in a vision as bold as implementing a new constitution.
