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Chile

Chile voters reject conservative constitution in second referendum

Author: Editors Desk Source: France 24
December 18, 2023 at 07:12
Chilean voters on Sunday rejected a proposed new constitution drafted by a conservative-led committee, electoral service Servel said, meaning the charter imposed during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet will remain in force.

 

People queue to vote during a referendum on a new Chilean constitution, in Temuco, Chile, December 17, 2023. © Juan Gonzalez, Reuters
 



With 99 percent of the referendum ballots counted, the "against" option prevailed with 55.75 percent of the vote, compared to 44.25 percent in favor, according to Servel, just hours after voting ended around 6 pm (2100 GMT).

The latest version of a new proposed constitution was overseen by the far-right opposition Republican Party after voters roundly rejected a progressive draft in September 2022 that attempted to enshrine environmental protections and the right to elective abortion.

Leftist President Gabriel Boric said last month that it would be his last attempt to reform the constitution, in order to focus on stability and long-term development. His government had adopted a neutral position on the new draft.

"Today we are experiencing a new... day that, no matter the result, strengthens our democracy," Boric said after voting in his hometown of Punta Arenas.

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