Chilean voters have rejected a new draft of the constitution proposed by conservative lawmakers to replace the Pinochet dictatorship-era charter. Sunday’s vote came over one year since Chileans also rejected a separate draft put together by progressives that would have expanded Indigenous rights, abortion access and addressed the climate crisis. The conservative proposal could have further restricted reproductive rights. Chilean President Gabriel Boric said Sunday his government won’t attempt to change the constitution for a third time.
President Gabriel Boric: “The constitutional referendum was supposed to bring hope, but it generated frustration and even weariness in a big part of the population. We cannot ignore this. Politics is so weak, and it is essential that these results have an immediate effect. Without any more delays nor excuses, we’ll focus everyone’s work to create deals and solutions Chile needs for education, security, economy and social issues.”