Chileans vote against new constitution for the second time. North Korea tests another intercontinental ballistic missile

For the second time, Chileans have rejected the proposal for a new constitution in a referendum.

The majority of voters voted against the right-wing opposition’s proposal on Sunday, after rejecting a very progressive draft more than a year ago. 55.7 percent rejected the draft of the Constitutional Council, which is dominated by conservative parties, as the electoral office announced on Monday. 44.2 percent voted for the new basic law.

After the second failed attempt to adopt a new constitution, the government now wants to abandon the project for the time being. “The trial was intended to raise hope, but instead it has led to frustration and anger.” said President Gabriel Boric.

Critics – including the South American country’s left-wing government – ​​had complained that the new constitution actually represents a step backwards compared to the current text when it comes to certain fundamental rights. The draft constitution would have restricted the right to abortion, ordered the immediate deportation of foreigners and introduced tax breaks for homeowners.

“We have failed in our attempt to convince people that the new draft is better than the current constitution,” said right-wing Republican Party leader José Antonio Kast.

It was the second attempt to give Chile a new constitution. Last year, voters rejected a very progressive draft constitution by a large majority. It would have guaranteed the right to housing, education and health care, established a 50 percent quota for women in all state bodies and granted indigenous communities the right to self-determination. That apparently went too far for many people in the conservative country.

The current constitution from 1980 dates from the period of the military dictatorship under General Augusto Pinochet. The tasks of the state are reduced to a minimum and the education, healthcare and pension systems are largely privatized. A new constitution was one of the main demands during social protests in 2019. (saw/sda/dpa)