Chile rejects draft of new constitution for the second time: Why and what happens next?
Once again, on Sunday, December 17, citizens voted against a new proposal to change Chile's magna carta, leaving the South American country with the constitution adopted during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.
With 99.65% of the votes counted, more than 55% of Chileans rejected the new text, while around 44% voted in favour.
The process of changing Chile's constitution began in 2019 after a social uprising led to intense and violent protests. A year later, 80% of voters said they wanted a new constitution.
So, what are the reasons behind this result?
This is the second time that Chilean voters have rejected a constitution proposal.
The first draft, written by an assembly dominated by left-wing and independent forces, was rejected by 62% of voters in September 2022. Many experts considered the text to be one of the most progressive in the world on social issues, protection of the environment, and rights for women and indigenous communities.
This time, the drafting of the new text was led by conservative and right-wing parties. Left-wing forces, including the government, had expressed opposition to the text.
The lack of dialogue between different political sectors is believed to be one of the reasons for the failure.
"Our differences are so irreconcilable that we cannot find a middle ground from which to move forward, and that is very sad indeed," said architect Claudio Fernandez from Santiago, reported Reuters.
Critics of the second proposal said it was more conservative than the 1980 constitution it sought to replace. Many considered it a threat to women's rights, as it included articles for the protection of "the life of the unborn" and established "conscientious objection" to abortion. In Chile, abortion is currently authorised under three specific circumstances. Critics also accused the text of favouring the interests of the privileged in environmental and housing matters.
The draft also advocated for a mix of public and private healthcare and pension systems. It established strict rules around immigration and defended "freedom of education," giving parents the right to decide their children's education.
However, the lack of consensus between different political ideologies is not the only reason for the outcome according to surveys. Several studies have shown that Chilean voters are tired and disillusioned with the constitutional process after four years of effort, debate, and polarisation to change the magna carta.
A survey conducted by Cade, published a month before the referendum, reported that 32% of voters were "little or not at all" interested in the process.
"I sincerely thought things were going to change," said Nina Vidal, a secretary in Valparaiso, after casting her ballot on Sunday, reported Reuters. "But unfortunately, nothing changes".
Many studies have also noted that the priorities of Chileans have changed in the last four years since the constitutional process began. Security, crime, and drug trafficking are cited among the most crucial issues for the population today.
What’s next?
After the results were announced, Chilean President Gabriel Boric stated that the constitutional process won't continue during his term, asserting that other priorities are now at play. Boric still has two years left in his mandate.
"The country became polarised, divided," said Boric during a televised address. Chile's president added that the result shows the process "didn't channel the hopes of having a new constitution written for everyone".
He said: "Politics is indebted to the people of Chile".
