The holidays in Chile have ended, and with March beginning, political frictions surfaced. Six months after society rejected a bold constitutional proposal at the ballot box, there is renewed effort to draft a new basic charter. This time the aim is a balance between right and left that will demand tough negotiations. An Expert Commission was formed by parties with parliamentary representation to move beyond the institutional framework inherited from the last military dictatorship (1973-1990).
The social protests of October 2019 opened the door to writing a fresh basic text. The traditionalists, catalyzed by the protests, leaned toward the left and center-left. The assembly debated for more than a year, but the plan did not materialize. The right, which did not have veto power at the Convention, influenced public opinion through social media and traditional media, gaining ground and limiting the chance for the draft to reach a public vote. That defeat represented a setback for President Gabriel Boric. On March 11, he marks one year in office, a tenure shadowed by lingering discontent. In this context, the Commission’s task began. It will comprise 24 members, evenly split between men and women, and experts have a three‑month deadline to craft a proposal that will serve as the basis for discussion and later elaboration of a new Magna Carta. The draft will be presented to the Constitutional Council.
The commission is led by a group of lawyers, with Veronica Undurraga from the Democracy Party (PPD, a social democratic faction) taking the role of chair. The government expressed hope for a constructive path forward, emphasizing the commission’s first message as a signal of humility and readiness to engage in a meaningful process for the country. The president spoke about the commission’s early progress as a promising start built on humility and responsible debate, describing it as a great opportunity for Chile. This sentiment was echoed in social media posts from the president and supporters.
Keynote remarks underscored a commitment to patience and unity from all parties involved. The dialogue acknowledged the need to earn the trust of the public, who remain skeptical about rapid reforms. The commission’s chair stressed that the country’s social fabric is deep and rebuilding trust will require time far beyond this process. The focus remained on balancing the different forces within Chile’s political landscape while maintaining a steady, inclusive approach.
Compromise
The effort to sustain a stable balance among the factions was evident in the decision to grant the right to the vice chairmanship of the commission, a move that reflected the delicate negotiations between the parties. The influence of former president Sebastian Pinera lingered as the right sought to secure the steadiness of the process while preserving commitments to the new Magna Carta’s direction.
Both the government and a portion of the right agree that Chile should avoid another cycle of polarization akin to the referendum period. At the commission’s inception, a portion of society reacted negatively, with polls showing distrust about the process from the outset. Veronica Undurraga stressed that many citizens feel called to participate but remain skeptical about the group’s ability to re-enchant public confidence. She noted that the nation’s social depth will require an extended effort beyond this commission to foster belief in a shared constitutional project.
Some previous agreements
There was initial consensus on several axes of the project. The state would remain unitary, and alternatives leaning toward federalism were discouraged. The Chilean nation would be indivisible, signaling a rejection of autonomous aspirations by some indigenous communities that appeared in earlier drafts. The commission will not operate alone; a 14‑member technical committee of lawyers will act as a counterweight and may arbitrate on thorny issues when requested by members of the Expert Commission. This mechanism aims to keep the process balanced and fair while addressing legal complexities.
The timeline slated the commission to conclude its work by June 7. After that, the 50 members of the Constitutional Council would determine feasibility with input from the 24 experts and 14 lawyers who form the Admissibility Technical Committee. If the proposal clears that stage, a referendum on the draft would take place on December 17. This is a careful sequence designed to test consensus before a final public decision is made.
Verónica Undurraga chairs the Board of Experts, while Sebastián Soto serves as vice-chairman. A public stream of the process highlighted the inclusive spirit of the endeavor and the shared aim of crafting a durable charter that could unify the country. The broader message from the participants stressed resilience, openness to dialogue, and a willingness to acknowledge mistakes while keeping faith with the country’s future prospects.
We may falter along the way, people may clash in debate, yet the commitment to Chile’s well-being binds everyone together. The leaders urged patience, forgiveness for missteps, and steady support for ongoing collaboration. The shared objective remains clear: to forge a Constitution that provides lasting peace of mind and a sense of belonging to a common national project, one that can sustain Chile through future challenges.