In Chile, Central and South America, an attempt to replace the constitution created during the time of former military-turned-dictator Augusto Pinochet (in power from 1973 to 1990) with a new constitution was frustrated again last year. This is the second time that an amendment containing provisions demanded by the progressive camp, such as allowing abortion, was rejected in a referendum last year due to opposition from conservatives. This year’s amendment included provisions that conservatives would prefer, such as abortion ban, medical privatization, and tax cuts, but this time, progressives opposed it. Due to the successive rejections, the position of left-leaning President Gabriel Borić, who took power in March of last year, is also expected to suffer a significant blow.
The Chilean National Election Bureau announced on the 17th that the national referendum on enacting a new constitution was rejected with 44.3% in favor and 55.8% against, based on a 99.3% vote count. Last September, it was rejected with 38.2% in favor and 61.97% against.
View largerAP NewsisIn Chile, anti-government protests broke out nationwide in October 2019 when the right-wing government attempted to increase subway fares by 30 pesos (about 50 won). This led to growing calls for the right-wing constitution enacted during the Pinochet era to be revised to suit the times.
President Boric, riding on this public opinion, has made ‘abolition of Pinochet’s constitution’ a major pledge since his presidential candidate days. Last year, the first year of his administration, he pushed for a constitutional amendment that included progressive provisions such as allowing abortion, recognition of native property rights, and quotas for women in public institutions, but failed to overcome the national referendum barrier. This year, he included a clause with a strong conservative flavor, but this time it failed again due to opposition from the progressive camp.
President Borić, whose term runs until March 2025, said before this year’s vote, “If it is rejected again this year, I will no longer pursue constitutional amendments.” His position is expected to be significantly narrowed due to the rejection for two consecutive years and the failure of major pledges.
This result is expected to have a significant impact on the ‘rightward’ wind of major countries in Central and South America. In neighboring Argentina, far-right President Javier Millais was inaugurated on the 10th. Previously, in Ecuador in November, President Daniel Novoa, a right-wing businessman, came to power. In Paraguay, the only Latin American country that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan, President Santiago Peña, who is anti-China and pro-US, came to power in August this year.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.