President Piñera Signs Law for Constitutional Plebiscite: “This defines the way forward for achieving a sound institutional framework”
The President expressed his appreciation for the hard work by the political parties that had enabled Congress to reach a constitutional agreement. He also called for unity, respect and dialog among all Chileans.
This Monday, President Sebastián Piñera signed the decree enacting the constitutional reform bill that involves holding a plebiscite in April 2020. During the signing event, he highlighted congressional efforts and welcomed the democratic process and broad citizen involvement.
“This reform opens doors and defines the way forward for achieving a grand Constitutional Agreement that will give us a sound, shared and legitimate institutional framework with which we as a country can address the formidable challenges of today and the magnificent opportunities of the future that this 21st century is offering,” he said. He was accompanied at the event by First Lady Cecilia Morel, former president Ricardo Lagos, Supreme Court President Haroldo Brito, and the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Iván Flores.
The Constitutional Reform establishes that a plebiscite will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2020 and that it will pose two questions: whether voters want a New Constitution and what type of body should draft it. Should the constituent process be chosen, it establishes deadlines for electing the constituents and holding a convention to draft the Magna Carta.
The final constitutional text must then be approved in a new plebiscite.
“For the first time ever, we have the opportunity to achieve a grand constitutional agreement with broad and effective citizen participation in a setting of complete liberty and democracy,” stated President Sebastián Piñera. He was speaking at a ceremony in La Moneda Palace, which was attended by ministers, undersecretaries, members of Congress, government officials and representatives from civil society.
The President appealed to Chilean society to approach this historical process with unity: “It is of the utmost importance to restore the values of unity, respect, dialog, agreements and goodwill when interacting with one another and especially with those who think differently.”