After a year of social upheaval, Chile decides in a referendum whether to change its Constitution | World

For the supporters of “Approving” the constitutional change, mainly in the left opposition, a new Constitution would remove the fundamental brake on deep social reforms in one of the most unequal countries in Latin America, which in the last 30 years was one of the most stable and economically prosperous in the region.

The defenders of the “Rejection”, who share part of the governing parties of the conservative coalition, believe that it is possible to make changes to the basic text, but not to write a new constitution. For them, the stability of Chile is at stake.

“The people won this plebiscite, not the (political) parties,” says Alejandra Sepúlveda, 34, who participated Thursday afternoon in one of the closings of the “Aprovo” campaign in downtown Santiago.

For Luis Álvaro, 51, unemployed since March, “Chile needs a radical change.”

“We want a new Chile. A fair Chile, a worthy Chile, a Chile that is for everyone,” he says hopefully about the process that can begin on Sunday if ‘Aprovo’ wins and the option of writing a new one opens up. Constitution through a Constituent Convention, formed exclusively by members elected by popular vote.

The other alternative is a “Mixed Convention”, made up equally of parliamentarians in office and members specially chosen for the occasion.

The great fear of the supporters of “Rejeito” is that “Chile will lose its privileged position in Latin America”, achieved in 30 years of democracy, and become “a new Venezuela.” For them, it is not necessary to change a Constitution that gave stability to the country, but to introduce reforms.

The episodes of violence that accompanied the massive demonstrations in the streets, which began on October 18 of last year, and which were repeated this Sunday, with the burning of two churches in celebration of a year of the revolt, support these fears.

The day before, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published its vision of the process, adding a note of tranquility regarding the horizon that is outlined in the South American country.

“This constitutional process opens the door for Chile to continue being a leader in the region in the economic sphere,” said Alejandro Werner, director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department.

The plebiscite could lead Chile to “initiate a new stage in which the main elements that have generated Chile’s success in terms of economic growth in recent decades are maintained, but which is also complemented by a social coverage agenda, with the Public finances”. more progressive, ”he declared.

Chile today has one of the highest per capita income in Latin America (US $ 20,000) and the forecast is that it will be one of the countries that will be able to recover faster from the economic effects of the pandemic. The IMF estimates that, after a 6% drop in GDP this year, in 2021 it would reach an expansion of 4.5%.

Questions about participation

In the midst of the pandemic, which in Chile infected almost 500,000 people and caused the death of more than 13,000, electoral participation appears as a key fact.

More than 14.1 million Chileans are eligible to vote in these voluntary elections. The operation of the tables was extended by two hours to reduce crowds and a special schedule was set for those over 60 years of age. In total, the voting centers will be open for 12 hours starting at 8 am (same time in Brasilia).

Since voluntary voting was introduced in 2013, the level of abstention in Chile has increased, especially among the youngest. In the last elections, in 2017, when the conservative president Sebastián Piñera was elected, abstention was almost 50%.

The polls give “Aprovo” a comfortable victory, with 60% to 75% of the votes.

Voters must answer two questions: “Do you want a new constitution? And” What kind of body should write the new constitution?

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