Constitutional referendum: Chile celebrates "rebirth"

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Protesters symbolically burn the old Pinochet constitution.

Chile celebrates after its referendum.

78 percent of the electorate voted for the drafting of a new constitution on Sunday.

The results are preliminary but clear.

Tens of thousands took to the streets.

The new constitution is intended to replace the Magna Charta of Chile from 1980, which dates back to the time of the dictator Augusto Pinochet. 

Juan Pablo Naranjo, protester

A year ago, mass demonstrations began in Chile, initially as a protest against an increase in subway fares in the capital, Santiago.

Soon the protests resulted in sometimes violent uprisings against the economic and political establishment. 

Sebastián Piñera, President Chile

An assembly of 155 members, half men and half women, is to draft the new constitution from April.

Parliamentarians are excluded - that shows how deep the distrust of politicians is in Chile.

After a year, the people should vote on the draft.

The Chileans are now hoping for fundamental social reforms, such as changes to the pension system, state health care and education and labor laws.  

Andrea, voter

Because of the corona pandemic, the referendum was postponed from April to October.

The infection situation has now largely eased, at least in Santiago, while many rural parts of Chile are under quarantine.