Chilean voters rejected a proposed conservative constitution to replace the country’s current text which dates back to the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship, on Sunday (Dec 17). The recent vote came over a year after Chileans also rejected the proposed constitution written by a left-leaning convention which was also categorised as one of the world’s most progressive charters.

With 99.65 per cent of votes counted late Sunday, around 55.76 per cent rejected the new text while 44.24 per cent voted in favour of it.&nbsp;

Therefore with no majority once again, the 1980 constitution drafted during Pinochet’s bloody dictatorship – which has been amended several times over the years – will now remain in place.&nbsp;

<h2>What happens now?</h2>

Now that both drafts have been rejected, Leftist President Gabriel Boric said his government wouldn’t pursue a third rewrite and would move to amend the current text for pension and tax reform through the legislature.

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“The country got polarized, divided,” said Boric during a televised address, adding that the result shows the process “didn’t channel the hopes of having a new constitution written by everyone.”&nbsp;

The attempts to change the current text came after the country had been shaken by large anti-inequality protests in October 2019, leading the lawmakers to propose a change in the constitution as a way to quell the unrest.&nbsp;

The latest draft which was said to be more conservative than the one written during Pinochet’s rule between 1973-1990 was written mostly by the country’s right-wing Republican Party, led by Jose Antonio Kast.

The proposed 216-article constitution took years to draft and placed private property rights and strict rules around immigration and abortion. One of the most controversial articles in this draft said that “the law protects the life of the unborn,” which many had warned could make abortion fully illegal in the South American country.&nbsp;

The current Chilean law allows abortions for three reasons, rape, an unviable fetus and risk to the life of the mother.

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“Finally, after four years of intense debate and constitutional conversation, we’ve ended up at the same point,” said political analyst Kenneth Bunker, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

He also noted that while the two sides have decided to give up on a new rewrite&nbsp;“the conversation is going to stop” and expects the issue to become key in the next presidential elections.&nbsp;

<h2>Political polarisation</h2>

Many Chileans have attributed the failure of both drafts to the country’s political polarisation, which has made it impossible for them to agree on a replacement constitution.&nbsp;

“Our differences are so irreconcilable that we cannot find a middle ground from which to move forward, and that is very sad indeed,” Claudio Fernandez, 41,&nbsp;told Reuters in&nbsp;the capital Santiago

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Most citizens are exhausted after 10 elections of various types in less than two and a half years. However, voting is compulsory in Chile.&nbsp;

The previous draft was dominated by left wing forces and focused on the expansion of social, indigenous, environmental and gender rights. The text was overwhelmingly rejected by voters back in September 2022.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Chilean voters rejected a proposed conservative constitution to replace the country’s current text which dates back to the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship, on Sunday (Dec 17).

Chilean voters rejected a proposed conservative constitution to replace the country’s current text which dates back to the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship, on Sunday (Dec 17). The recent vote came over a year after Chileans also rejected the proposed constitution written by a left-leaning convention which was also categorised as one of the world’s most progressive charters. With 99.65 per cent of votes counted late Sunday, around 55.76 per cent rejected the new text while 44.24 per cent voted in favour of it. Therefore with no majority once again, the 1980 constitution drafted during Pinochet’s bloody dictatorship – which has been amended several times over the years – will now remain in place. What happens now? Now that both drafts have been rejected, Leftist President Gabriel Boric said his government wouldn’t pursue a third rewrite and would move to amend the current text for pension and tax reform through the legislature. ALSO READ | Biden slams Trump for 'fascist-like rhetoric' against migrants and 'praising dictators' “The country got polarized, divided,” said Boric during a televised address, adding that the result shows the process “didn’t channel the hopes of having a new constitution written by everyone.” The attempts to change the current text came after the country had been shaken by large anti-inequality protests in October 2019, leading the lawmakers to propose a change in the constitution as a way to quell the unrest. The latest draft which was said to be more conservative than the one written during Pinochet’s rule between 1973-1990 was written mostly by the country’s right-wing Republican Party, led by Jose Antonio Kast. The proposed 216-article constitution took years to draft and placed private property rights and strict rules around immigration and abortion. One of the most controversial articles in this draft said that “the law protects the life of the unborn,” which many had warned could make abortion fully illegal in the South American country. The current Chilean law allows abortions for three reasons, rape, an unviable fetus and risk to the life of the mother. ALSO READ | Israel-Hamas war: Israeli hacking group disrupts 70% of Iran’s petrol pumps “Finally, after four years of intense debate and constitutional conversation, we’ve ended up at the same point,” said political analyst Kenneth Bunker, as quoted by Reuters. He also noted that while the two sides have decided to give up on a new rewrite “the conversation is going to stop” and expects the issue to become key in the next presidential elections. Political polarisation Many Chileans have attributed the failure of both drafts to the country’s political polarisation, which has made it impossible for them to agree on a replacement constitution. “Our differences are so irreconcilable that we cannot find a middle ground from which to move forward, and that is very sad indeed,” Claudio Fernandez, 41, told Reuters in the capital Santiago ALSO READ | North Korea's missile launches a threat to peace and stability: Japanese PM Kishida Most citizens are exhausted after 10 elections of various types in less than two and a half years. However, voting is compulsory in Chile. The previous draft was dominated by left wing forces and focused on the expansion of social, indigenous, environmental and gender rights. The text was overwhelmingly rejected by voters back in September 2022. (With inputs from agencies)

Chileans vote against new conservative constitution to replace current dictatorship-era text

Moving away from a constitution that focused on social benefits, environmental rights, gender parity and indigenous rights, Chile on Sunday voted for the nation's right-wing parties to elect advisers who will draft a new constitution.&nbsp;

This, as per Reuters, marks a sharp shift from a progressive majority that drafted a failed first constitutional rewrite.&nbsp;

A tally of about 95.13 per cent of the ballots revealed that Chile's Republican Party, led by Jose Antonio Kast, secured nearly 35 per cent of the votes.

Of the rest of the votes, a coalition of traditional right-wing parties gained just over 20 per cent, while President Gabriel Boric's left-wing coalition received about 29 per cent of the votes. The remaining votes went to centrist parties.

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Former conservative firebrand presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast, who lost to Boric in 2021, during a speech in Santiago branded his opponent's government a "failed" one.

"Chile has defeated a failed government."

"Today is the first day of a better future, a new start for Chile," said Kast.

The final results will determine the exact makeup of a 50-seat Constitutional Council that will be in charge of drafting a new constitution.&nbsp;

Any articles will be approved with a three-fifths majority.&nbsp;

The constitutional advisers elected on Sunday will commence the process of drafting a new constitution in June. The draft will be based on a draft compiled by 24 constitutional experts appointed by Congress in March. Once the draft is complete, voters will have the opportunity to approve or reject it in December.

Reuters reported&nbsp;that this marks the latest step in a years-long effort to overhaul Chile's dictatorship-era text. The effort began after nearly 80 per cent of Chileans voted to draft a new constitution in 2020. This was preceded by violent protests against inequality.

The first rewrite was drafted by largely independent and left-leaning constituents with a focus on social welfare, environmental protections, gender equality, and indigenous rights. Despite being viewed as one of the most progressive constitutions globally, a lot of voters deemed it too divisive, and the procedure was embroiled in controversies.

The draft was rejected by 62 per cent of the voters. For backing the first constitution rewrite, Boric has suffered a setback and his approval ratings have plummeted.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chileans-reject-new-proposed-constitution-in-referendum-512944">Chileans reject new proposed constitution in referendum</a>

In March of last year, Boric assumed office amid high hopes of reform, but as the struggling economy and rising crime&nbsp;become the foremost concerns of voters, his popularity has waned.&nbsp;

Since voter rejection of the first draft, the president has distanced himself from the process while promising to support it. Boric reassured reporters after casting his vote on Sunday that the government would respect the council's autonomy and serve as a guarantor while assisting its requests.

"The government won't meddle with the process and will respect the entity's autonomy in its deliberation."

Delivered remarks from Santiago's La Moneda presidential palace he called for unity and urged the opposition to learn from the previous failed attempt, stating that he wanted the Republican Party, to avoid making the same blunders as his party. Boric stated that the process should not be about vendettas but prioritising Chile's interests.

"I want to invite the Republican Party, that's won an unquestionable majority, to not make the same mistakes we made," he said. "This process can't be about vendettas, but putting Chile first."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Moving away from a constitution that focused on social benefits, environmental rights, gender parity and indigenous rights, Chile on Sunday voted for the nation's right-wing parties to elect advisers who will draft a new constitution.

Moving away from a constitution that focused on social benefits, environmental rights, gender parity and indigenous rights, Chile on Sunday voted for the nation's right-wing parties to elect advisers who will draft a new constitution. This, as per Reuters, marks a sharp shift from a progressive majority that drafted a failed first constitutional rewrite. A tally of about 95.13 per cent of the ballots revealed that Chile's Republican Party, led by Jose Antonio Kast, secured nearly 35 per cent of the votes. Of the rest of the votes, a coalition of traditional right-wing parties gained just over 20 per cent, while President Gabriel Boric's left-wing coalition received about 29 per cent of the votes. The remaining votes went to centrist parties. Also read | IN PICS | Protests, rallies, demonstrations: Here's how people marked May Day across the world Former conservative firebrand presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast, who lost to Boric in 2021, during a speech in Santiago branded his opponent's government a "failed" one. "Chile has defeated a failed government." "Today is the first day of a better future, a new start for Chile," said Kast. The final results will determine the exact makeup of a 50-seat Constitutional Council that will be in charge of drafting a new constitution. Any articles will be approved with a three-fifths majority. The constitutional advisers elected on Sunday will commence the process of drafting a new constitution in June. The draft will be based on a draft compiled by 24 constitutional experts appointed by Congress in March. Once the draft is complete, voters will have the opportunity to approve or reject it in December. Reuters reported that this marks the latest step in a years-long effort to overhaul Chile's dictatorship-era text. The effort began after nearly 80 per cent of Chileans voted to draft a new constitution in 2020. This was preceded by violent protests against inequality. The first rewrite was drafted by largely independent and left-leaning constituents with a focus on social welfare, environmental protections, gender equality, and indigenous rights. Despite being viewed as one of the most progressive constitutions globally, a lot of voters deemed it too divisive, and the procedure was embroiled in controversies. The draft was rejected by 62 per cent of the voters. For backing the first constitution rewrite, Boric has suffered a setback and his approval ratings have plummeted. Also read | Chileans reject new proposed constitution in referendum In March of last year, Boric assumed office amid high hopes of reform, but as the struggling economy and rising crime become the foremost concerns of voters, his popularity has waned. Since voter rejection of the first draft, the president has distanced himself from the process while promising to support it. Boric reassured reporters after casting his vote on Sunday that the government would respect the council's autonomy and serve as a guarantor while assisting its requests. "The government won't meddle with the process and will respect the entity's autonomy in its deliberation." Delivered remarks from Santiago's La Moneda presidential palace he called for unity and urged the opposition to learn from the previous failed attempt, stating that he wanted the Republican Party, to avoid making the same blunders as his party. Boric stated that the process should not be about vendettas but prioritising Chile's interests. "I want to invite the Republican Party, that's won an unquestionable majority, to not make the same mistakes we made," he said. "This process can't be about vendettas, but putting Chile first." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chile elects right-wing parties to rewrite constitution after rejecting 'world's most progressive' charter

Voters in Chile have rejected a proposed new constitution to replace the 1980 document that was adopted during general Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship. 62% voters rejected the proposal while only 38% voted in its favour.

Chile says 'no' to new constitution; 62% voters reject new text