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December 18, 2023

Chilean Voters Reject Replacing Pinochet-Era Constitution with Document Drafted by Conservatives
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Chilean voters have rejected a new draft of the constitution proposed by
conservative lawmakers to replace the Pinochet dictatorship-era charter.
Sunday's vote came over one year since Chileans also rejected a separate
draft put together by progressives that would have expanded Indigenous
rights, abortion access and addressed the climate crisis. The
conservative proposal could have further restricted reproductive rights.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric said Sunday his government won't attempt
to change the constitution for a third time.

President Gabriel Boric: "The constitutional referendum was supposed to
bring hope, but it generated frustration and even weariness in a big
part of the population. We cannot ignore this. Politics is so weak, and
it is essential that these results have an immediate effect. Without any
more delays nor excuses, we'll focus everyone's work to create deals and
solutions Chile needs for education, security, economy and social
issues."



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