All articles tagged with #gabriel boric
Wildfires across central and southern Chile killed at least 18 people, burned thousands of acres, and forced about 50,000 residents to evacuate. President Boric declared a state of catastrophe, ordered emergency measures including curfews and shelters, and firefighters struggled to contain blazes amid scorching heat and strong winds as the toll is expected to rise.
Chileans have rejected a new conservative constitution to replace the current text dating back to the Pinochet dictatorship, with 55.76% voting against it. This is the second draft constitution in as many years to be rejected, following large-scale protests against inequality in 2019. President Gabriel Boric acknowledged the polarization and division in the country and stated that his government would not pursue a third rewrite. Many Chileans have expressed mistrust and disenchantment with the process. The question now is what the government will do next, as the issue is expected to become significant in the upcoming presidential elections.
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.
Chile's President Gabriel Boric accused Israel of war crimes during a press conference outside the White House, moments after meeting with President Joe Biden. Boric condemned Israel's strikes on Gaza as disproportionate and a violation of international humanitarian law. While Biden has expressed support for Israel's actions, Boric emphasized the need to condemn both Hamas attacks and the Israeli government's response. The Chilean president, known for his leftist positions, also discussed Cuba and Venezuela with Biden, highlighting the importance of ensuring fair elections in Venezuela.
Chilean voters elected a right-wing council to draft a new constitution that is expected to maintain the country's market-based economic model, dealing a blow to leftist President Gabriel Boric. The move comes after an earlier left-wing constituent assembly proposed a sweeping overhaul to Chile's political and economic system. Boric's popularity has declined over his government's handling of crime, immigration, and a weak economy, with Chile projected to be the only South American nation to post an economic decline this year.
Chile's far-right party, Republicanos, founded by ultra-conservative lawyer Jose Antonio Kast, has won 22 of the 50 seats in the committee that will rewrite the country's dictatorship-era constitution, dealing a major blow to progressive President Gabriel Boric. The left secured only 17 places on the council, meaning it would be unable to veto right-wing changes. The victory cements Kast's status as the dominant figure on Chile's right and is the latest reminder of the populist far right's continued appeal across South America.
Chilean right-wing parties have won a majority of votes to elect advisers to draft a new constitution, marking a sharp shift from a progressive majority that drafted a failed first constitutional rewrite. The Republican Party secured nearly 35% of the vote, while President Gabriel Boric's left-wing coalition garnered about 29%. The constitutional advisers elected on Sunday will start drawing up a new constitution in June based on a draft compiled by 24 constitutional experts appointed by Congress in March. Voters will then approve or reject the new proposal in December.
Chile's Congress has passed a bill reducing the work week from 45 to 40 hours, which is expected to be signed into law by President Gabriel Boric. The law will be implemented over five years and aims to improve the quality of life and rights of workers in the country. The bill prevents businesses from reducing salaries and allows workers to switch to a four-day work week. However, it does not apply to the informal sector of Chile's economy. Some businesses have criticized the initiative, while others have welcomed the change.