Chileans reject replacing constitution from Pinochet era in historic vote

Chileans have decided against adopting a new constitution to replace the existing one, which was drafted during the rule of General Augusto Pinochet. The proposed draft was presented by a council consisting largely of right-wing delegates after a left-wing proposal was rejected by voters last year. The new constitution would have impacted various areas of law, including abortion rights, labor strikes, and indigenous rights. In a referendum held on Sunday, 56% of voters rejected the draft, while 44% supported it. The movement to replace Chile's current constitution, established in 1980 under Pinochet's dictatorship, began in 2019 following widespread anti-government protests led by left-wing students. The protesters called for measures to address inequality, high living costs, and political reforms. After weeks of unrest, conservative President Sebastián Piñera agreed to initiate a process to rewrite the constitution. However, the initial draft proposed by a group of 155 elected members, which included reforms to the senate and formal recognition of indigenous groups, was rejected by 62% of voters in September of last year. The version voted on in the recent referendum was prepared by a new group of 51 elected representatives, 23 of whom belonged to the right-wing Republican Party. Left-wing opponents criticized the draft for failing to protect indigenous rights, potentially restricting reproductive rights, and preserving private sector involvement in essential services like healthcare, education, and pensions. President Gabriel Boric, who supported the initial draft but remained neutral on the second, stated before the vote that it would be the final attempt at constitutional reform. Following the referendum, he reiterated that sentiment, stating that the constitutional process is now closed, and the country will continue under the current constitution. Boric emphasized the need to address other urgent issues and acknowledged that neither proposed constitution managed to represent or unify Chile in its diverse nature.