Why did Chileans reject the second draft constitution?

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Chileans Rejected Second Draft Constitution Due to Mistrust and Political Polarization

Chileans voted against the second proposed constitution on December 18, with 55.68% rejecting the text and 44.32% in favour. This marks the second time in two years that a proposed replacement for the 1980 constitution, which originated during the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship, has been dismissed by voters. The rejection stemmed from a combination of voter mistrust in the constitutional process and deep-seated political polarization, which many felt made consensus on a new foundational document impossible.
Voter Mistrust and Disenchantment with the Process

Many Chileans expressed a lack of confidence in the constitutional drafting process, a sentiment that had grown over years of political infighting and polarization. Nina Vidal, a 65-year-old secretary, articulated this feeling, stating that while she was initially hopeful after the first referendum, her confidence waned for the second. This disillusionment suggests that the procedural aspects and the perceived lack of progress or genuine change contributed significantly to the negative vote, irrespective of the specific content of the proposed text.
Content of the Second Draft Constitution

The second draft, formulated by an assembly dominated by conservative parties, presented a text considered more conservative and market-friendly than the existing 1980 constitution. Key elements highlighted in the proposed document included a strong emphasis on private property rights, alongside stringent regulations concerning immigration and abortion. These specific provisions likely alienated segments of the electorate who were seeking a more progressive or socially inclusive framework.
Impact of Political Polarization on Consensus

The pervasive political polarization within Chile was cited by voters as a major impediment to reaching an agreement on a replacement constitution. Architect Claudio Fernandez, 41, lamented that the country's irreconcilable differences prevented finding common ground. This deep division meant that even with a second attempt to draft a new text, the fundamental inability of political factions to coalesce around a shared vision ultimately undermined the efforts to create a universally accepted document.
Historical Context and Previous Rejection

The current rejection follows the failure of a first draft constitution in September, which was developed by an assembly predominantly composed of left-wing forces. That initial text had focused heavily on social rights, indigenous rights, environmental protections, and gender equality. The subsequent swing towards a more conservative assembly for the second draft, and its subsequent rejection, indicates a complex and perhaps divided public opinion regarding the direction Chile should take in its constitutional future.

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Why did Chileans reject the second draft constitution?

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