Chileans Reject Conservative Constitution in Second Referendum

Chilean voters have rejected a proposed new constitution drafted by a conservative-led committee, meaning the current constitution imposed during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet will remain in force. With 99 percent of the referendum ballots counted, the "against" option prevailed with 55.75 percent of the vote. This is the second time voters have rejected a new constitution, with the previous progressive draft being rejected in September 2022. The process to rewrite the 1980 constitution began in response to mass protests against social inequality in 2019, but enthusiasm has waned due to the pandemic, economic stagnation, and voter fatigue.