Negotiations continue on the Chilean constitutional process

The discussions are expected to be intense because while the political formations of the coalition government and the Christian Democrats support a 100 percent elected Democratic convention, the opposition right promotes a mixed body, with elected members and appointed experts.

For Representative Thomas Hirsch of Humanist Action, it is essential that you have an elected body, so that we can create a constitutional proposal that is truly an expression and reflection of citizen participation.

On the other hand, the legislator of the Independent Democratic Union, Jorge Alessandri, indicated that there are several options open, as there is no final agreement on constitutional issues.

The opposition coalition Chile Vamos, which brings together UDI, Renovación Nacional and Evópoli, advocates a mixed agreement that clarifies the principle of citizen participation as well as the contribution of “experienced people”.

Talks began in Congress to advance toward a new Basic Law after the September 4 referendum rejected the Magna Carta proposal chosen by a joint committee.

There seems to be a consensus so far regarding the definition of the Chilean state as a unitary and decentralized state, the existence of three separate and independent powers, the recognition of indigenous peoples, care for the environment and the right to property in its various manifestations.

But there are differences on core issues such as the role of experts, reserved seats and deadlines for the process, among other aspects.

The coalition government and the Christian Democrats insisted that an agreement be reached this month and not continue to delay the issue that is generating more uncertainty for the people and the economy.

However, Vamos Chile refused to conclude an agreement in October, three years after the society erupted against the neoliberal model and one of his demands was to change the constitution in force since the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990). ).

mg/car