Chile Celebrates Voters' Decision to Scrap Pinochet-Era Constitution

By Dana Cruz Oct 27 2020, 03:04 AM EDT

Chileans Vote Constitutional Referendum Amid Social Tension — A demonstrator lights a flare during a celebration as waiting for the official results of the referendum for a new constitution on October 25, 2020 in Santiago, Chile. Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Image

Chileans voted with an overwhelming majority to rewrite their country's constitution on Sunday, replacing the principles imposed decades ago under dictator General Augusto Pinochet.

According to the New York Times, the existing constitution was drafted without popular input during the military dictatorship. It was also approved in a fraudulent plebiscite in 1980, blocking so much change in Chile for years.

The old constitution was also seen as a lingering link to a grim chapter in Chile's history. NPR said in a report that changing the constitution was an end-result of a ripple.

Chileans initially started as anger over high subway prices. From these, a growing wave of protests followed.

Thousands of people took their anger to the streets, calling for sweeping change in their wages, pensions, health care, and education.

The violence took place in clashes with the police, leaving more than 30 civilians killed and thousands injured.

It exploded into a broad reckoning over inequality in the country, followed by a vote to throw out the Pinochet-era constitution.

Around 78 percent of Chilean voters chose to create a document that will replace the old constitution. Only some 22 percent of voters rejected the change.

Rewriting the Chilean Constitution

Voters are expected to get a submission of the new constitution draft from a special convention by mid-2022.

A popularly elected body will entirely draft the new constitution. It means no active lawmaker will be involved in making it, noted The Guardian.

A huge celebration started in Chile after. On Sunday, the streets were filled with people reveling over the change.

People gathered at the Plaza Italia in Santiago to celebrate, chanting and waving flags. Music was playing, and fireworks were set.

Signs and banners declaring "Renace Chile (Chile Reborn)," "Goodbye, General," and "Erasing your legacy will be our legacy" could be seen all around.

President Piñera Cautioned About Long Process

Acknowledging the victory of a new charter, President Sebastián Piñera addressed the nation in a speech. He warned that despite this victory, Chile is only starting a long process of rewriting its constitution.

Piñera also stressed that the plebiscite is only the start of the process, and he and all of Chile must work together in making the change a reality.

"It is the beginning of a path we should all undertake together," he said.

The president recognized that the constitution had created divisions among the Chilean population. With that, he urged cooperation among citizens to make the new charter a "home for all of us."

"Starting today, we must all collaborate so that the new constitution is the great framework for unity, stability and the future," he said.

Changing its constitution could transform the politics of Chile, a country that has been seen as the most prosperous in Latin America.

Over 7.5 million people voted to rewrite the charted, a record in voter participation compared to 1988 data, said the country's election service Servel.

They all turned in their votes on Sunday morning. Masked voters across the country lined up outside polling stations as they cast their votes in an orderly manner.