In cities around Chile, bookstores and street sellers are busy with people who are buying a book that will change Chilean government and society, if it is approved. The book is the country's proposed new constitution.
Chileans will vote to
approve or reject the new constitution on September 4.
Its 388 articles could
replace the current constitution, which was passed in 1980 under the military
rule of Augusto Pinochet
Two years ago, voters supported
the plan to write a new constitution. But today, public opinion studies suggest
that the new version will not be accepted.
Many voters think that some of the proposals are too radical
In Santiago, the capital
city, street vendors are selling many copies a day. Alfredo Lopez sold 80
copies yesterday and will probably sell the same number of books tomorrow. He did not read the document and is not
planning to.
Observers say the new
constitution is the result of public anger over inequality. It is a subject of
debate between two sides. On one side, those citizens who want to protect
Chile's current economic model aimed at growth and on the other side, those
Chileans in favor of a social ideal to include everyone.
Chile’s current economic
model helped many years of development. But now, Chile is facing rising
inflation, a slow economy, falling exports of copper. Additionally, the exchange value of Chile’s
money is at a record low.
"People are really
tense," said Isidora Varela, age 25. "Not everyone will read the
constitutional text because the information is too dense. There is a lot of
misinformation and fake news on social media”
Mireya Davila, a public
policy professor at the University of Chile, said “Both sides still have time
to attract voters. I think an informed vote is essential, but I don't know if
that will happen. Will the Approve
Campaign effectively communicate what the document says?”
Carlos Bastias, another
seller, said there are arguments and fights between customers. "I think
that in a few days I will have to open up a boxing ring here and be a referee.
Yesterday I finished reading the new constitution but I will not give my opinion
to buyers”.
From VOA (edited)
