Advertisement

First draft of Chile's new constitution set, fine-tuning to begin

SANTIAGO, May 16 (Reuters) - Commissions in charge of fine-tuning a draft of Chile's new constitution and mapping out the transition towards a focus on rights and social programs from a free-market doctrine take over on Monday before it is put to a vote in September.

The constitutional assembly finished approving new articles over the weekend, with a total of 499 given the green light since the debate began last October.

In late 2020, citizens overwhelmingly voted to draft the new constitution after violent protests against inequality erupted across the country.

The proposed document, which citizens will vote to approve or reject on Sept 4., is a sharp turn from the current charter that dates back to the Augusto Pinochet-era dictatorship.

It pulls away from a focus on privatization to concentrate on education, health and housing.

Articles increasing autonomy for indigenous territories, expanding environmental rights and making fighting climate change a constitutional duty for the state were also approved.

Additionally, the text reforms Chile's political system, including allowing immediate presidential re-election and replaces the senate with a new "chamber of regions".

The final number of articles will drop as the new committees take over to consolidate and finalize the constitution, which is due in early July. The assembly, which has been working in Santiago, has now moved to the northern city of Antofagasta where an official handover will take place Monday afternoon.

The assembly will continue working from different regions around the country to inform the citizenry about the new constitution and listen to feedback from different groups.

Public support for the new document has fallen sharply over the past weeks, with voters intending to reject the new constitution surpassing those planning to approve it for the first time in early April.

But pollster Cadem on Sunday registered its first bump in "yes" voters since late March, with a 3 point jump to 38% since early May while "no" voters dropped 2 points to 46%. (Reporting by Alexander Villegas and Natalia Ramos; Editing by Alison Williams)