Chileans overwhelmingly rejected the draft of a new constitution, proving analysts’ argument that the new charter is “too radical” to be accepted.
The rejection has further eroded the image of the country’s 36-year-old left-leaning President, Gabriel Boric, who’ll try to continue his campaign to convince Chileans.
Los anhelos de cambio y dignidad exigen a nuestras instituciones y actores políticos que trabajemos con más empeño, diálogo, respeto y cariño, hasta arribar a una propuesta que nos interprete a todas y todos. Para allá vamos. Que viva la democracia y que viva Chile! pic.twitter.com/f5rQv2G5mJ
— Gabriel Boric Font (@gabrielboric) September 5, 2022
The new constitution would have allowed the creation of autonomous provinces and a parallel justice system for the country’s indigenous people, who comprise around 13% of the population.
In addition, it would have forced the government to provide many essential services, such as education, healthcare and housing free of cost. The now-rejected draft would also have replaced the Senate with a Chamber of Regions.
“Chile needs change, but it does not need communism, and that is what this process was attempting. It was creating inequality and division in Chile,” stated a voter named Monica in the capital Santiago.
The draft of the constitution offered women the right to abortion and required the government to fill up 50% of positions in official institutions with women.
Some analysts say the rejection is threatening to destroy the political fortune of the young president, whose approval rating has fallen way below 50% over the past months.
Add comment