The Monday after the public referendum on the proposed constitution, Gabriel Boric faced a sobering moment. The vote tally showed a clear defeat for the reform, with 61.88% saying no and 38.12% yes, alongside record turnout. More than four million voters joined the polls compared with the last plebiscite, underscoring a decisive shift in public sentiment.
Boric held a firm stance as he met with House speaker Raúl Soto and Senate president Álvaro Elizalde to chart a path for how the constitutional issue would move through Congress. Elizalde noted that the president asked for a dialogue in the National Congress to create an institutional channel for discussion and progress, signaling a commitment to a new approach to governance. The aim, according to officials, is to reach a workable agreement swiftly.
The key takeaway from the meetings was simple: the priorities must reflect the broad interests of Chilean men and women. There is a sense of another chance on the table, perhaps the last one, as Soto put it. Parliament, which does not hold a decisive government majority, will include voices from all sides, with input from social movements and civil society representatives. The roadmap is intricate: a push to avoid a straight rejection while recognizing the complex political landscape, a two-headed dynamic often described as a dragon with more than a single cast of players. Several groups, from the far right led by José Antonio Kast to a center-left faction uneasy about certain Constitutional Convention provisions, intersect in this debate. Some parties urge the winners of the plebiscite to stay engaged with a new process, while others demand careful restraint and patience.
Beyond the political disagreements, the underlying desire for dialogue remains. The conversation continues, and a new round of discussions is anticipated. A public message from Boric on the constitutional plebiscite outlines a continued effort toward a constructive path [citation].
— Gabriel Boric Font (@gabrielboric) September 5, 2022
moment of weakness
The plebiscite’s outcome sent an additional signal: many Chileans are cautious about reviving the old Magna Carta from the dictatorship era and remain unconvinced by the content proposed by the Convention. For Boric, who had defended the ratified provisions as earnestly as possible, the experience was a tough lesson. After 36 years and some months in office, he faces a period of political vulnerability, a phase that had been anticipated by analysts. As the campaign drew to a close, mass demonstrations in support of a “yes” appeared to offer some optimism, yet the public mood shifted dramatically as results came in. Critics, including those who branded the Convention as out of touch, filled the streets with a loud, sometimes harsh debate. Feminist groups, environmental advocates, intellectuals, and academics found themselves on the losing side in this plebiscite. In response to the outcome, Boric signaled a recalibration of the government team, signaling a potential reshuffle in the near term.
Whether Boric endures this setback or recalibrates around new political realities, his trajectory points toward moderation. “Chilean men and women have asked for a fresh opportunity to shape the country’s direction, and that call must be heard,” he stated in a late Sunday address. The path ahead, he indicated, does not require maximalist positions. The message was clear: the most radical factions in the Assembly would need to step back and allow space for centrist, pragmatic negotiations.
Crime remains a top priority for the nation. The public discourse reflected anxieties about safety and governance, as shown in social media and public commentary alike. A notable post from Kast highlighted the desire to see Boric assume governance responsibilities promptly, underscoring the ongoing political tension surrounding the reforms [citation].
Past and future
The 2019 social unrest in Chile, which began in November 2019 under then-President Sebastian Piñera, exposed profound economic and political fault lines. The protests, driven by demands for a new constitution and fundamental reforms, challenged the country’s elite and set the stage for a constitutional process. Three years on, many supporters of the reform found themselves frustrated by a constitutional process that did not resonate with a broad segment of the population. Analysts debated whether the country had slipped back to the pre-crisis moment of 2019 or if a new path had emerged that could bridge the gaps between the crisis management era and the text that failed the test. In this atmosphere, Kast and his allies continued to push their narrative with vigor, framing crime as a central concern and pressing for a swift rethinking of leadership in the aftermath of the referendum [citation].”