Shortly before the closing of tables, at around 8 p.m. on Sunday, an in crescendo group of protesters began arriving at Baquedano Square in Santiago to manifest themselves and celebrate, in advance, at that minute, a wide victory in the Plebiscite for a new Constitution.
After hours, between saucepans and fireworks, and with a follow-up of counts that showed from early on a wide distance between preferences, the option of Apruebo and the Constituent Convention swept away and people began to arrive – more rightly – at the epicentre of the protests to celebrate, this time, the outcome of the process agreed on 15 November last year.
Let us remember that the political agreement to open the door to a new Constitution arose after the wave of sometimes violent protests in 2019, stems from claims ranging from criticism of the capitalist system to improving conditions in health and education.
“This plebiscite is not the end. It is the beginning of a path, which together we must go on to agree on a New Constitution for Chile,” President Sebastián Piñera said in a speech after learning of the triumph of the apruebo.
“So far the Constitution has divided us. As of today, we must all work together to make the New Constitution the great framework of unity, stability and the future,” he added.
This will be the first time in Chile’s history that the Constitution will be drafted by a fully elected assembly.
According to The Servel data, with 90.78% of the tables counted, the option in favour of a new Magna Carta got 78.24% of the vote, while the Rejection achieved 21.76%. In addition, the Constitutional Convention option far exceeded the Joint Convention and recorded 79.2% of the vote versus 20.76% respectively.
Chile not only awoke, but spoke loud and clear, singing and illuminating the sky with laser pointers. While a projection with the word “Renace” illuminated a building in front of the “Place of Dignity”, as the protesters call it.
It should be mentioned that, from the Ministry of the Interior, they specified this week that, exceptionally and due to election day, curfew will begin at 01:00 hrs in the morning on Monday 26 October.
