In a column a few days ago, the former concertacionista minister Francisco Vidal pointed out that between approving to reform and rejecting to reform the fate of the plebiscite of this September 4 was at stake, echoing the chorus of voices – which even reaches sectors of the government alliance – that has indicated that the text must have changes.
The truth is that, although very prominent militants of the so-called center-left joined the right in the Rejection, a significant group of leaders have opted for the Approve option, but with a surname. The “I approve to reform” would have its justification in the supposed low citizen adherence to the proposal for a new Constitution that would be reflected in the results of various surveys – a question that is certainly debatable – but mainly in the conviction that assists these sectors to introduce profound changes to the text prepared by the Convention in aspects that do not accommodate them.
This position presents a number of dangers. It already puts a very serious difficulty in the implementation of the new Constitution, given by its chapter of transitional norms that supposes a series of mandates to the Government, Parliament and various public institutions. It also opens a real Pandora’s box to restore the politics of agreements with the right that, as we know, also wants to reform the new text, returning constituent power to the pre-revolted social political system of October. The role of citizens, independents and indigenous peoples is kept a transversal silence.
However, the most worrying thing about this position is that it exudes elitism, especially that version that suggests a great national agreement prior to the plebiscite for reforms to a Constitution that has not yet been voted on or less enters into force. Thus, it is worth asking: what is the point then that the citizens are going to vote this September 4 if the text on which they will pronounce will not be the one that fully governs?
It would be very interesting to know what you want to reform. Parity and the right of women to decide on their bodies?, denying the right to social security to continue legitimizing the AFP negotiation?, plurinationality, our best opportunity to end the Chilean-Mapuche conflict?, denying the right to housing so that thousands continue waiting?, do they want to continue profiting from water?, Do they want nature not to be the holder of rights and continue with the sacrifice zones?, do they want to create an electoral system tailored to their interests, excluding the world of independents?, or do they want, rightly, to restore the Senate?
The question is simpler. El Apruebo, without surnames, is a step forward in the transformation of the political, economic, social and cultural structures of our country. It is the best opportunity to leave behind once and for all the heavy night of the neoliberal heritage of the dictatorship, when before in our history we had this democratic tool to overcome neoliberalism and transform our country?
The Approval requires political and social forces that, on the basis of the new rules of the game proposed by the new constitutional text, are committed to building the solid foundations of a democratic project of society.
This plane undoubtedly interrogates the capacity for maturation that the subjects who starred in the social mobilization of October 2019 have in their role before the political scenario that will open from September 5, so that it does not have as protagonists – again – the same political system of the last 30 years, from which we already know what to expect.
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The content expressed in this opinion column is the sole responsibility of its author, and does not necessarily reflect the editorial line or position of El Mostrador.
