On December 17, 2023, the citizens of Chile embarked on a pivotal journey to the polls for a second referendum, marking a significant step in the ongoing effort to replace the nation’s constitution, which originated during the era of dictatorship. The proposed constitutional draft, shepherded by the far-right Republican Party, stands at the forefront of this political discourse, presenting voters with a choice to either endorse or reject a framework perceived as notably more conservative than the existing constitution.
This constitutional deliberation follows the resounding rejection of a progressive draft in September 2022, a version that sought to embed environmental protections and the right to elective abortion within Chile’s foundational legal document. The political landscape has been marred by a divergence of ideologies, with the latest draft being sculpted under the influence of the far-right opposition Republican Party, signaling a departure from the progressive aspirations of the previous attempt.
The electoral process commenced at 8:00 am (1100 GMT) and was scheduled to conclude at 6:00 pm (2100 GMT), with the anticipated release of results in the ensuing hours. This momentous event comes in the wake of left-leaning President Gabriel Boric’s declaration that this would be his final endeavor to reform the constitution, prioritizing stability and long-term developmental goals.
Despite the potential for transformative change, polls, banned in the two weeks leading up to the referendum, have foreseen a likelihood of another rejection. The process to overhaul the constitution, a document rooted in the Augusto Pinochet military dictatorship of 1980, originated as a response to widespread protests in October 2019, driven by grievances related to social inequality.
In a landmark 2020 referendum, a resounding 80 percent of voters advocated for replacing the constitution, reflecting a collective desire for systemic change. However, the fervor that ignited those protests has experienced dampening influences over the ensuing four years. The impact of the pandemic, coupled with challenges such as inflation, economic stagnation, a growing sense of insecurity, and voter fatigue, has cast a shadow on the initial enthusiasm for constitutional reform.
Political scientist Claudia Heiss from the University of Chile captures this sentiment, noting, “There is an atmosphere of great disenchantment, of little interest, little motivation, of fatigue with the constitutional issue.” According to Heiss, people are yearning for more fundamental aspects of governance, such as security, public order, and a return to normalcy after experiencing abnormal circumstances for the past couple of years.
The political narrative surrounding the referendum has evolved into a broader discourse, with the opposition framing the vote as a referendum on President Boric’s leadership. Boric, who ascended to the position of Chile’s youngest-ever leader in late 2021 at the age of 35, has faced challenges, with his approval ratings plummeting to around 30 percent. A significant setback occurred in May when the far-right Republican Party secured the top spot in a nationwide vote to select members of the constitution rewrite committee.
Central to the constitutional debate is the inherent critique of the 1980 constitution, which is widely accused of facilitating the enrichment of companies and the elite at the expense of the poor and working classes. The first attempt at rewriting included provisions for stronger protections of Indigenous rights, measures to safeguard natural resources like water, and a mandate for gender equality in public institutions, with women holding at least half of the positions.
However, the latest constitutional draft, according to Heiss, falls into a space between the 1980 constitution and one that leans even more to the right, especially concerning issues such as abortion and public safety. The proposed constitution aims to enshrine the right to life from conception, a move that experts believe could potentially lead to legal challenges against existing laws. Notably, abortion was prohibited in Chile until 2017 when it was allowed in cases of rape, when the mother’s life is at risk, or when the fetus is declared unviable.
Conclusion: Chile
The referendum encapsulates a complex interplay of historical context, political dynamics, and societal aspirations. It reflects the ongoing struggle to redefine Chile’s constitutional framework in the face of evolving challenges and changing political tides, ultimately shaping the nation’s trajectory for years to come, as reported by guardian.ng
