Opposition politicians seek to reform Pinochet-era constitution.
A renewed effort toward constitutional reform in Chile is beginning to gain momentum as opposition politicians have once again pushed the issue into the spotlight. Critics say the current constitution, devised in 1980 during the military dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, remains a legacy of Pinochet that fails to represent the general public.
The renewed discussion was triggered on Monday by Sen. Ignacio Walker, president of the center-left Christian Democrat Party (DC), who claimed that Chile was reaching a critical point that made redrafting the constitution necessary.
“The role of political leadership and institutions is to drive social demands and give them a means of expression. When all windows and doors are closed, institutions overflow and politics moves on to the streets,” he said. “We must be open to other ways like a constitutional assembly and referendum; we can’t sit idly by, politics can’t stay frozen.”
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A renewed effort toward constitutional reform in Chile is beginning to gain momentum as opposition politicians have once again pushed the issue into the spotlight. Critics say the current constitution, devised in 1980 during the military dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, remains a legacy of Pinochet that fails to represent the general public.
The renewed discussion was triggered on Monday by Sen. Ignacio Walker, president of the center-left Christian Democrat Party (DC), who claimed that Chile was reaching a critical point that made redrafting the constitution necessary.“The role of political leadership and institutions is to drive social demands and give them a means of expression. When all windows and doors are closed, institutions overflow and politics moves on to the streets,” he said. “We must be open to other ways like a constitutional assembly and referendum; we can’t sit idly by, politics can’t stay frozen.”
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