Opportunities for Chile after the plebiscite

A group of protesters against the constitutional reform celebrates in Santiago de Chile, this Monday. JAVIER TORRES (AFP)

On September 4, Chile lived a historic day, in which citizens expressed our will in a responsible and enthusiastic manner, concurring to vote Approve or Reject the proposed Constitution that was prepared during the last year by a Constitutional Convention.

With record levels of participation and a resounding result in favor of Rejection that exceeded all forecasts, it was a day of national pride in which citizens committed to the destinies of the country opted for peace and unity.

The results of the plebiscite speak to us of a majority that wants a better Constitution for Chile, one that unites us and does not divide us, where the center is social rights and duties, the environment and inclusion.

He prioritized the common sense of Chileans over ideologies and the desire for agreements over confrontation.

The message was clear: we want to give ourselves a new opportunity to design a Constitution that is truly everyone's home.

One that allows us to build the Chile of the future by making the necessary changes without destroying the good that we have achieved.

A country with progress, with social cohesion, with more opportunities and seriously advancing towards sustainable and comprehensive development.

For this reason, it is an ethical imperative that the new Magna Carta be drawn up in a rational and balanced manner, and thus advance along the path that successful countries in Europe, Asia and North America have traveled.

The new Constitution should consecrate a unitary State and a social State of rights;

ensure equality between men and women;

recognize the original peoples, respecting and valuing their traditions, language and worldview, that is, recognizing multiculturalism;

ensure a sustainable and sustainable economy, which allows progress to comprehensive development.

Only with growth, good jobs, more investment, can progress be made.

To achieve this, Chilean businessmen make ourselves available to the Government and citizens to collaborate in this new stage that is beginning.

We represent the productive and business sector, from the smallest to the largest, and together we commit to redouble our commitment with the necessary investment, with the creation of jobs, with more competition and better practices.

We are supporting the changes and transformations that are needed to reach development, such as a good, correct and balanced tax reform that allocates resources to have greater equity, optimize public spending, improve probity and State services, along with providing conditions enabling entrepreneurship and investment to be able to innovate, grow and create more quality work.

In terms of pensions, we are collaborating to achieve the right balance between solidarity, rewards for personal effort and individual savings.

We also value good labor reforms -such as the gradual and flexible reduction of the working day-, in health and housing, all social rights in which our country is still in debt with some compatriots.

Likewise, the challenge for a better education that brings us closer step by step to the standards of the countries that are conquering development with equity, and well-being with social protection is vital.

From the company, Chilean businessmen are working together to reach these agreements and collaborate in whatever is necessary so that the new Constitution meets the expectations of Chilean families and unites us with the great majority who seek the common good.

It is necessary to leave behind polarization, extremes and populism, which are the opposite of doing politics, because they destroy it and divide society.

Today is the time to do the reforms well, outside the ideological framework and within the framework of rationality and responsibility.

It is time for good public policies, for a virtuous dialogue and a strengthened public-private partnership.

The world is watching us and Chile can once again be the example that we once were of reconciliation, of union, of responsible reformism and with a sense of the future.

We have the opportunity to reaffirm the values ​​that have made us a great nation;

the values ​​of democracy, freedom, solidarity, social peace and respect for all the inhabitants of our country.

Juan Sutil S.

is a resident of the Confederation of Production and Commerce of Chile.

50% off

Subscribe to continue reading

read without limits

Keep reading

I'm already a subscriber