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| 2019 Chilean constitutional referendum | |
|---|---|
| Title | 2019 Chilean constitutional referendum |
| Date | 25 October 2020 (referendum held 25 October 2020; process triggered in 2019) |
| Place | Santiago, Chile |
| Cause | 2019 Chilean protests |
| Result | Approval to draft new constitution via Constitutional Convention; rejection of mixed convention option |
2019 Chilean constitutional referendum was a national plebiscite that authorized drafting a new constitution to replace the 1980 Constitution of Chile. The referendum emerged from mass demonstrations during the 2019 Chilean protests and was shaped by negotiations between political parties, social movements, trade unions, and civic organizations. It set the framework for constituent elections involving district-based representation and served as a turning point in Chilean politics involving presidents, parties, and institutions.
The referendum traces its origins to the 2019 Chilean protests, which mobilized protesters, student organizations, indigenous groups, and labor unions demanding social reforms in cities such as Santiago, Chile, Valparaíso, and Concepción, Chile. The protests prompted interaction among political actors including the Christian Democratic Party (Chile), Socialist Party of Chile, Party for Democracy (Chile), National Renewal (Chile), Independent Democratic Union, and independent activists associated with movements like NO+AFP and the Mapuche organizations represented by leaders such as Aucán Huilcamán. Negotiations involved the presidential administration of Sebastián Piñera and legislative bodies including the Chamber of Deputies of Chile and the Senate of Chile, culminating in agreements mediated by figures from civil society, regional governments, and the National Institute of Human Rights (Chile).
The formal proposal drew on constitutional law debates about the 1980 Constitution of Chile enacted under Augusto Pinochet and subsequent amendments passed during post-dictatorship transitions involving actors like Patricio Aylwin and Ricardo Lagos. Legal architecture was developed through negotiations among parliamentary caucuses such as the Concertación successor parties and newer coalitions like the Broad Front (Chile) and the Christian Left (Chile). The agreement produced legislation ratified by the Congress of the Republic of Chile establishing mechanisms for a constitutional process, specifying options for a fully elected Constitutional Convention or a mixed convention combining elected members and incumbent legislators, and defining rules that referenced procedures used in other processes such as the constituent assemblies of Iceland and the Constituent Assembly of Venezuela historically.
Campaigns mobilized a wide array of political parties, labor federations like the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores and student federations such as the Confederation of Chilean Students, as well as grassroots organizations including Fridays for Future affiliates in Chile, indigenous collectives, and feminist groups inspired by activism around figures like Mariela Castro in regional debates. Polling firms and academic centers including the Centro de Estudios Públicos and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile produced data showing fluctuating support between options, while international observers and entities such as the Organization of American States commented on procedural design. Campaign messaging featured leaders from parties including José Antonio Kast supporters, Gabriel Boric allies, and centrist voices from the Radical Party of Chile, with debates over social rights, pension reform advocated by NO+AFP, and constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples linked to Mapuche leaders like Pablo Marimán.
Voters were presented with two linked questions administered under electoral law overseen by the Electoral Service of Chile: the first asked whether to draft a new constitution, and the second offered a choice between a Constitutional Convention composed solely of elected delegates or a mixed convention including incumbent members of the National Congress of Chile. The electoral administration coordinated voting logistics across districts such as Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Región de Coquimbo, and Región del Biobío with participation of local municipal authorities and international election observers. Voting procedures incorporated mechanisms to ensure participation by indigenous communities, proximate to provisions in international instruments discussed by organizations like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
The plebiscite delivered a decisive mandate: a large majority voted in favor of drafting a new constitution, and a majority selected the fully elected Constitutional Convention option over the mixed convention. Official tallies published by the Electoral Service of Chile showed high turnout relative to recent plebiscites, with results reported from urban communes such as Providencia, Santiago and rural provinces in Araucanía Region where indigenous candidacies were particularly salient. The outcome affirmed demands articulated during the 2019 Chilean protests and set dates for constituent elections that would later involve lists from coalitions like the Chile Vamos and the New Social Pact.
After the referendum, political dynamics shifted as parties prepared for constituent elections, civil society groups engaged in platform-building, and the presidency of Sebastián Piñera confronted calls for social reforms including pension, health, and education changes associated with debates involving actors such as Andrés Manuel López Obrador tangentially as regional comparisons. The Constitutional Convention later drew delegates including indigenous representatives, independents tied to movements like Plaza de la Dignidad protesters, and members from traditional parties, reshaping alliances within the Congress of the Republic of Chile and prompting international attention from entities such as the United Nations and the European Union. The process influenced subsequent elections and policy debates, contributing to the broader trajectory of Chilean political reform and constitutional change.
Category:Referendums in Chile Category:2019 protests Category:Constituent assemblies