Why Chile rejected its new constitution

In the space of two years, the buzz of excitement generated by the idea of constitutional reform in Chile has given way to a sea of disconformity. In October 2020, over 78 percent of voters were in favor of writing a new Constitution; on Sunday, they gave their final opinion on the actual charter drafted by a constituent assembly. 

The results were a resounding defeat for the “I approve” camp, as only 38 percent of Chileans backed the new Constitution. Meanwhile, 62 percent of voters went against it, with more than 99 percent of ballots counted.

While polls flagged the “I reject” victory, it came to win by a much broader margin than surveys predicted — with record turnout of 85 percent and a unanimous decision across all of Chile’s 16 regions. Rejection even took 55 percent of the vote in Greater Santiago, where most of the push for reform originated.

“Chileans were not satisfied with the proposal and chose to reject it at the ballot box,” President Gabriel Boric said in an address to the nation on Sunday evening. Even before his election, Mr. Boric has been a key proponent of constitutional reform. 

The president called for soul searching and moderation among the reform’s supporters, arguing that “this result requires us to work on a new draft that speaks to us all and unites us as a country, leaving aside maximalist proposals, violence, and intolerance for those who think differently.”

Spokespeople for the “I approve”...