Home / Chile votes to rewrite the constitution against the destructive path of neoliberalism
On Sunday, just over a year after the massive demonstrations that swept the country, Chileans voted to scrap the constitution which dates to the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, and most importantly they decided that the new Constitution has to be drafted by a convention made up entirely of elected citizens.
The EL congratulates the Chilean people, who made the decision to open a new chapter in the history of their country.
Thanks to months of mass protests against inequality, Chileans now have to choose who will draft the constitution and take part of the convention which will becomposed on the basis of gender equality, with special representation for indigenous peoples. A step forward to create a progressive response, able to shake the political landscape of one of the most unequal countries in the world.
Inequalities have risen in Chile over the last 20 years because of the huge progressive privatisation of services and utilities. Undoubtedly, discussing a new Constitutionis a victory of the social movement. This is a victory for those who want a new constitution to be able to fix injustices in their society and fought to create left-wing alternatives both in the streetsand institutionally, a new path to fight class privileges in their society through higher wages and pensions, and better health care and education.
Heinz Bierbaum, President of the European Left
