Plebiscite result will force Chile government rethink

Significance

The referendum was followed on September 6 by a cabinet reshuffle incorporating new centre-left figures from outside the government coalition. For the six-month-old government, the rejection of the proposed constitution implies enormous challenges.

Impacts

• High turnout in the referendum has prompted discussion about a possible return to compulsory voting.
• The constitutional convention, although a failure, will help to define the boundaries for a new attempt to rewrite the constitution.
• Following the reshuffle, Boric will be governing with a cabinet to the centre of the coalition with which he was elected.