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“Chile approved “- Chileans voted for a new constitution with a large majority. Thousands of people celebrated in the capital Santiago.
By Anne Herrberg, ARD Studio Buenos Aires
Trumpet concerts, fireworks, dances, laughter, tears of joy: people in Chile celebrate. Throughout the country and in the Plaza Italia in Santiago de Chile, which everyone here only calls “Plaza de la Dignidad”, a place of dignity.
“Chile approved” is the motto after this historic day: Chile voted for it. And with a large majority, that was already clear after the first screenings.
Old constitution of military dictatorship
“We are happy, today we made history,” says a woman. “Today Chile decided to become a new country. We have waited so long for this!”
And one man is happy: “This is a celebration of democracy. We said no to the old dictatorial constitution that crushed us all. Now is the time to start working for our children and grandchildren so that we can finally obtain a legitimate basic right. because it is not the current one. “
The old constitution dates from the time of the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. It was produced behind closed doors in 1980 by its neoliberal economic system, the so-called Chicago Boys, and continued to exist 30 years after its return to democracy.
“The beginning of a new path”
Freedom from this authoritarian legacy was one of the central demands of the social protests that began a year ago, in October 2019. Conservative President Sebastián Piñera spoke of a victory for democracy and unity after the closure of the polling stations:
“This referendum is not the end, it is the beginning of a new path. Until now the constitution has divided us, from today we must all work to ensure that the new constitution creates a great framework for unity, stability and the future.”
Defenders see the constitution as the central obstacle to social reforms in Chile, more equality and the recognition of indigenous peoples. They demand a state that not only protects private property but also guarantees social rights. Health and pension insurance, education and even water supply are privatized in Chile.
Opponents warn of chaos
Opponents, however, warned that a protracted constitutional process could jeopardize Chile’s growth and plunge the country into chaos.
Jaqueline van Rysselberghe, president of the right-wing Independent Democratic Union (UDI), whose electorate remains largely positive about the ideas of the Pinochet regime, said: “We continue to represent about 20 percent who voted against a new constitution. for reform, but we also believe that change cannot start from scratch. “
“Change does not come from one day to the next”
The referendum also addressed the question of how a new constitution will be drafted. Voters opposed a mixed body with party participation. That means: There will be a specially elected constituent assembly, half of which will be made up of men and the other half made up of women.
“The change does not come overnight, but that was a first step,” says a protester in Santiago. “That is the foundation on which we can build the country we all want. A more just country, a country that allows a dignified life, a country without such abysmal social inequality.”
The constitutional body will be elected in April 2021. Then another referendum will be held in 2022 on the draft it has prepared.
