The new law was supposed to replace the current constitution created during the rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet.
In Chile, the new constitution has failed in a referendum. When 96 percent of the votes have been counted, almost 62 percent have expressed their opposition to the proposed constitution. A good 38 percent of the voters have given their support for the constitution.
The new law was supposed to replace the current one, the dictator Augusto Pinochet the constitution created during the regime, and it would have, among other things, created public services, improved environmental protection and improved the rights of indigenous peoples.
The draft constitution met with opposition, especially from the right wing of Chilean politics, including the right-wing minority of the Constitutional Council.
Many critics considered that the new constitution would be poison for the country’s economic development and the willingness of foreign companies to invest. In addition, the process of writing the constitution has been criticized as confusing and hasty.
The reform process began in 2019 after widespread discontent in Chile. Two referendums have previously been held on the reform, in the first one it was decided whether a new constitution would be made for the country, and in the second one it was decided who would prepare the proposal.