Reform failure may strengthen centrist hopes in Chile

Significance

This followed the rejection of a left-wing proposal in September 2022 and marks the failure of efforts, initiated in late 2019 in response to widespread social protests, to replace the current constitution left in place by the 1973-90 Pinochet dictatorship, albeit since extensively reformed. Maintenance of the current constitution arguably bodes better for future political stability.

Impacts

• The failure of the constitutional process will further undermine public trust in politicians as a whole.
• Women, concerned about issues including the abortion law, were key in defeating the proposed constitution and may be a crucial voting bloc.
• The referendum’s result does not necessarily rule out Jose Antonio Kast as a competitive candidate in the 2025 presidential election.