- Title: Chilean lawmakers approve popular vote on Pinochet-era constitution
- Date: 20th December 2019
- Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (FILE - OCTOBER 25, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS IN PLAZA ITALIA PROTESTERS THROWING TEAR GAS CANNISTER BACK AT POLICE SANTIAGO, CHILE (NOVEMBER 14, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS GATHERED IN PLAZA ITALIA
- Embargoed: 3rd January 2020 18:13
- Keywords: Chile Chile constitution Chile plebiscite Chile protests Chile unrest Chilean politics Sebastian Pinera constitutional plebiscite constitutional reform
- Location: SANTIAGO AND VALPARAISO, CHILE
- City: SANTIAGO AND VALPARAISO, CHILE
- Country: Chile
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA005BAS79KZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Chile's Congress has given the green light to a referendum on changing the country's constitution next year, a central demand of protesters whose mobilizations brought the nation virtually to a standstill over the past eight weeks.
The plan was approved in the lower house on Wednesday (December 18) and by senators on Thursday (December 19), though an opposition request for quotas to ensure the participation of women, indigenous people and non-political representatives in the body that could draw up a new charter was shelved after pushback from right wing groups.
Chile's constitution dates back to General Augusto Pinochet's 1973-1990 military dictatorship. Critics of the constitution say it fails to guarantee proper healthcare, education and citizen participation in government, while supporters consider it a pillar of stability for one of the region's strongest and most investor-friendly economies.
In April voters will be asked whether they approve the idea of a new constitution and whether the body that draws up the new document should be a popularly elected assembly or one mixed with current lawmakers.
A poll by Cadem last month suggested that 82% of Chileans believe the country needs a new constitution and 60% want it drawn up by a popularly elected assembly, compared to 35% who want a mix with politicians.
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