National Plebiscite (2020)

National Plebiscite (2020)
Name	National Plebiscite (2020)
Country	Chile
Type	Referendum
Date	25 October 2020
Electorate	14,899,618
Turnout	50.9%
Question	Do you approve of the drafting of a new Constitution?

National Plebiscite (2020)

The 2020 plebiscite in Chile was a national referendum that asked voters whether to draft a new constitution and which drafting mechanism to use, held amid protests linked to the 2019 Chilean protests, the presidency of Sebastián Piñera, and tensions involving the Carabineros de Chile, the Chilean Police, and the Chilean military. Major political actors included the Christian Democratic Party (Chile), the Socialist Party of Chile, the Chile Vamos coalition, the Broad Front (Chile), and movements connected to the Student protests in Chile. International attention tied the plebiscite to comparative events such as the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, and constitutional processes in Iceland and South Africa.

Background

The plebiscite arose after nationwide mobilizations beginning in October 2019 that involved protesters, trade unions like the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores, civic groups such as Movimiento por Amnistía y Derechos Fundamentales, and city-level authorities in Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción. Political negotiations featured representatives from the Chile Vamos and opposition parties including the Party for Democracy (Chile), the Communist Party of Chile, and independents linked to the Movimiento Autonomista. The process was shaped by prior legal reforms enacted by the National Congress of Chile and by rulings from the Constitutional Court of Chile and interventions by leaders including Andrés Chadwick and Alberto Espina. Economic and social context drew on debates over pensions regulated by the AFP system, labor rights under the Labour Code (Chile), and health policy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile.

Legal Framework and Procedures

The plebiscite's legal basis combined emergency legislation passed by the Chilean Congress and rulings from the Supreme Court of Chile that specified procedures for a national plebiscitary consultation. The electoral administration was overseen by the Servel (Electoral Service of Chile), applying provisions from the Electoral Registration Law and guidelines derived from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and benchmarks used in referendums like the 1992 South African referendum. Procedural rules referenced roles for the President of Chile, the Senate of Chile, and the Chamber of Deputies of Chile and included provisions for gender parity inspired by measures in the Spanish Congress of Deputies and the Constituent Assembly of Bolivia (2006–2007).

Campaign and Public Debate

Campaign dynamics involved alliances among the Christian Democratic Party (Chile), the Radical Party (Chile), the Socialist Party of Chile, the Communist Party of Chile, and newer formations such as the Movimiento Autonomista and the Revolución Democrática. Opposing camps included figures from Chile Vamos, the National Renewal (Chile), and the Independent Democratic Union. Prominent public intellectuals, artists, and journalists such as Isabel Allende (politician), Pablo Neruda's literary legacy referenced in cultural debates, and commentators associated with outlets like El Mercurio and La Tercera participated in televised debates hosted by networks such as TVN and Canal 13. Civil society organizations including Human Rights Watch and local NGOs like Centro de Estudios Públicos engaged in voter education and debate, while labor unions and student federations like the Federación de Estudiantes de la Universidad de Chile mobilized for turnout.

Referendum Question and Options

Voters were asked whether they approved initiating a constituent process and, if affirmative, whether the drafting body should be a fully elected Constitutional Convention or a mixed body combining elected members and sitting National Congress of Chile members (a mixed convention). The two-part ballot echoed mechanisms used in constitutional processes such as the 1991 Croatian constitutional referendum and the 1999 East Timorese independence referendum, and linked to debates about direct democracy exemplified by the Swiss Federal Council's use of referendums and the French Fifth Republic's constitutional amendment procedures.

Voting Process and Results

The plebiscite on 25 October 2020 registered a turnout of approximately 50.9% of the registered electorate under the supervision of Servel (Electoral Service of Chile), with international observation by missions from the Organization of American States and the European Union. The results showed a decisive majority voting "Approve" for a new constitution and a majority favoring a fully elected Constitutional Convention over a mixed body, outcomes reported alongside precinct-level tallies in major districts such as Santiago Metropolitan Region, Biobío Region, and Valparaíso Region. The vote distribution reflected urban-rural splits seen in other ballots like the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum and demographic patterns analyzed by academic centers such as the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and the University of Chile.

Aftermath and Political Impact

The plebiscite led to legislation establishing rules for electing the Constitutional Convention (Chile) and prompted resignations and restructuring within parties such as the Christian Democratic Party (Chile) and the Independent Democratic Union. The process influenced presidential politics involving Sebastián Piñera and prospective candidacies from figures associated with the Broad Front (Chile), the Socialist Party of Chile, and independent movements. Policy debates shifted on issues including indigenous rights related to the Aymara people and Mapuche conflict, gender parity, and social rights previously contested under the 1980 Constitution of Chile.

International Observers and Reactions

International responses included congratulatory statements from the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the European Union, and governments of states such as Argentina, Spain, and United States. Observation missions referenced best practices from prior referendums in New Zealand, Canada, and Costa Rica, while scholars from institutions like the London School of Economics and the Harvard Kennedy School assessed implications for constitutional design, transitional justice, and democratic resilience.

Category:Referendums in Chile Category:2020 elections