• news

• World news

• America

An overwhelming majority in Chile in favor of changing the constitution: "rebirth"

78% wanted to replace the constitution written in the days of dictator Pinochet, and also stated that those who drafted it would be citizens and not politicians.

The new document will be voted on in 2022.

The right-wing president congratulated, but made it clear that this was the beginning.

Residents, who went out in rage demonstrations over inequality a year ago, celebrated: "Victory belongs to the people"

Tags

• Chile

• Sebastian Pineira

• Augusto Pinochet

News agencies

Monday, 26 October 2020, 09:39

• Share on Facebook

• Share on WhatsApp

• Share on general

• Share on general

• Share on Twitter

• Share on Email

0 comments

• The 17-year-old Itai who was murdered in Gilboa was laid to rest: "You did not provide ...

• Cabinet approves peace agreement with UAE ...

• Ganz has signed a statement in Washington stating that ...

• Netanyahu: I will bring to approval the increase in fines against those who violate ...

• The challenge of Alon Headquarters: 39% of insulation insulators do not report ...

• National service girls from the Druze society operate a center ...

• USA: Presidential candidates Biden and Trump meet for confrontation ...

• Gamzo: As of today, free tests without a referral from a doctor ...

In video: Referendum in Chile on changing the constitution (Photo: Reuters)

Chilean citizens voted overwhelmingly in favor of a constitutional change from the days of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship, according to a nearly 90 percent vote in the referendum, which sparked celebrations in several cities tonight (Monday).

78% voted "yes" to the repeal of the old constitution, and also stated in the second question in the referendum that the new constitution would be drafted by an assembly of constituencies consisting only of citizens, half women and half men, and not including politicians, testifying to their distrust.

President Sebastian Paneira, who raised the issue in a referendum after huge demonstrations last year against inequality, acknowledged the result and praised the incident-free vote.

"This is the beginning of a path that we must all walk together," he said.

This was one of the main demands of the protesters in the richest country in South America, but where the economic disparities are huge.

"Until now, the constitution has divided us," the president said.

"From today, we must work together for the new constitution to be a framework of unity, stability and the future."

The president, from the center-right, saw the percentage of support for him fall during the riots in the past year, addressed those who oppose changes to the constitution, who belong to the conservative wing of politics.

According to him, every new constitution must include the "heritage of past generations, the will of the present generation and the hope of future generations".

Paneira addressed concerns that high expectations from the new constitution could not be met, saying "the referendum is not the end, but the beginning of a path."

More on Walla!

NEWS

• Chile: The counting method has changed, and the death toll from Corona has almost doubled

• "Robbery of the Century" in Chile: Gunmen stole $ 14 million from the capital's airport

• Chile: A huge fire destroyed dozens of homes in a coastal city

• The next wave of masks is already here: more comfortable, beautiful and protective

78% voted "yes" to repealing the old constitution.

Supporters of change celebrate in Chile (Photo: Reuters)

The current constitution passed in 1980, under the rule of Pinochet, whose 17 years of military rule were marked by the oppression, torture and disappearance of dissidents, left-wing activists and others.

He was one of several dictators across Latin America who won United States support for their opposition to Communism during the Cold War.

Pinochet came to power in 1973 after Socialist President Salvador Ainda was overthrown in a coup and executed.

The referendum was completed at the end of a tumultuous year in Chile, but now the more difficult part begins - who will be part of the body that will draft the new constitution, and what it will look like.

By April, 155 members of the Constituent Assembly are due to be elected, and they will have a year to draft a new constitution that will go to another referendum in 2022.

The referendum was supposed to take place as early as April, but was postponed due to a closure imposed by the government after a severe outbreak of the corona virus in the country.

Upon receiving the results, the word "rebirth" was projected on a building in downtown Santiago, drivers honked in their cars, some danced on rooftops and others pounded pots and pans.

Prominent among the celebrants was the flag of the native Mapuche, who would seek greater recognition of the new constitution that would be required to pass by a two-thirds majority.

More on Walla!

NEWS

A year after the huge protest, Chile is voting to repeal Pinochet's constitution

To the full article

The referendum was completed at the end of a tumultuous year.

Counting ballots in Chile (Photo: Reuters)

Many have expressed hope that a new constitution will change the capitalist nature of Pinochet's constitution, and ensure equal rights in health, pensions and education.

"The victory belongs to the people, it is thanks to the efforts of everyone that we have reached this moment of celebration," Daniel, 37, said during the celebrations in Santiago.

"What makes me happiest most of all is the participation of young people who want to make a difference."

Other issues that are expected to arise in the new constitution are the right to collective bargaining, water and land rights and the privatization of health, education and pension systems.

The National Mining Corporation, under which companies operate in the country that is the largest copper exporter in the world, expressed hope for a "broad consensus on principles and norms" that would allow the sector to continue operating alongside Chilean citizens, and for regulation that would allow it to continue to thrive.

• Share on Facebook

• Share on WhatsApp

• Share on general

• Share on general

• Share on Twitter

• Share on Email

0 comments