Change is coming to Chile, as a Constitutional Assembly has drafted a new proposed constitution for the South American country. And with the draft finished, the Chilean Constitutional Assembly presented the formal draft to President Gabriel Boric on Monday.

According to the Associated Press, the proposed constitution would replace the charter imposed on the country by a military dictatorship around 41 years ago. 

Chileans are set to vote in a September plebiscite whether to adopt the proposed constitution or not. The nationwide plebiscite will happen on September 4.

Boric wrote on Twitter that it is still the people who would decide their destiny, whether they move forward with the new constitution or stay with the status quo of the current system.

What Is Inside Chile's New Draft Constitution?

The new draft's first article described Chile as "a social and democratic state," and as "plurinational, intercultural and ecological." It also recognizes the existence of 11 Indigenous groups, who comprise 12.8% of Chile's population of approximately 19 million.

The draft also features ways for Indigenous people to reclaim their land and introduce a new public healthcare system. It also introduces new rights to the people, including equal pay and equal work between men and women.

The draft constitution includes 388 articles, many of which highlight current problems such as the country's inequality.

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Chileans Divided in the Vote for Constitutional Change

According to CNN, the existing constitution takes inspiration from University of Chicago economist Milton Friedman's neoliberal model. It was first introduced by Chile's infamous military dictator, General Augusto Pinochet. 

However, despite many amendments, many in Chile blame it for the vast inequality in the country. This new constitution seeks to end that. An increase in the metro fare sparked the talk about replacing the constitution three years ago. 

Massive protests erupted in the country in 2019, forcing then-president Sebastián Piñera to agree to a referendum about drawing up a new Chilean constitution.

And in October 2020, more than 78% of people in Chile made their voices heard and agreed to rewrite the constitution. They then voted again in June 2021 to pick who would join the Constitutional Assembly. Independents and leftists won 60% of the vote. While the new constitution is seen as a major victory for normal Chileans, the country's right-wing is staunchly opposed to the change, according to Al Jazeera. 

Right-wing lawyers and politicians in the country continue to rally other Chileans to reject this new constitution. And they might be poised to, as a recent Cadem poll shows 51% of Chileans want to reject it.

However, because of years of frustration with the right-wing-led governments, far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast, who led in the primaries and polls, was soundly defeated by the young left-leaning Boric as president. This makes it likely that the polls are wrong again, with a different outcome also likely to come out.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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