President Piñera welcomes the Constitutional Agreement and thanks everyone involved in the Agreements for Peace and Social Justice

The following is the full address made by President Piñera:

Men and women of Chile, good evening.

Over the last 4 weeks, we have all lived through very difficult times, which have struck at the body and soul of our society, leaving us with profound lessons, whilst also sowing the seeds of hope.

During these weeks, we have seen legitimate demonstrations by millions of Chileans who are asking and longing for a Chile that is fairer and more equitable; a Chile with more equal opportunities and fewer abuses; a Chile that offers greater dignity to all, and fewer privileges for the few. Inequality is not only about material things but also about the way in which the State engages with its citizens, the way in which companies engage with their workers, suppliers and consumers, and the way in which we citizens engage with one another.

We have listened very carefully and humbly to the strong and clear voice of our citizens. We have learned valuable lessons, because they are representing fair and legitimate demands and this is why we have made a commitment as the Government and as a society.

Over the last 4 weeks Chile has changed. The Chileans have changed and the Government has changed. We have all changed. Because the social pact we have all being living under has shattered and shown its wounds and cracks. Together we need to renew this social pact in order to heal those wounds and repair those cracks.

And in order to make this possible, all Chilean men and women of goodwill must categorically condemn, without any ambiguity, all violence, regardless of where it may come from. Because we know that violence only begets more violence and is always accompanied by pain and frustration. And it hits hardest at those who are poorest and have the greatest need. That is why our Government will do its utmost within the rule of law to ensure there is justice with no impunity for those who have caused so much damage to so many Chileans.

Last Tuesday, after a night of destructive violence, we proposed to the Chilean people three great agreements: an Agreement for Peace, an Agreement for Social Justice, and an Agreement for a New Constitution.

My fellow Chileans:

That night, on Tuesday night, as the President of Chile, I had to choose between two very difficult paths: the path of force, by decreeing a new State of Constitutional Exception, or the path of peace.  Our national emblem says “by reason or by force”. That night we chose to take the path of reason, in order to give peace a chance.

I would like to thank all the many civil society organizations that, the following day, did not hesitate to join this path of peace and unity. I would like to thank the many trade associations, SME organizations, university rectors, organizations that work with youth and children, and the broad spectrum of churches and political figures for their commitment to Chile. They did not hesitate to come to La Moneda Palace and generously offer their firm support for these paths towards hope and the future.

I would also like to thank our armed forces, our uniformed (Carabineros) and investigations (PDI) police officers and fire personnel who, during long and often very violent days, risked their lives and physical wellbeing to protect our lives and physical wellbeing.

Unfortunately, and in spite of the strong commitment and all the precautions taken not only by the Government, but also by our armed forces to protect the human rights of all Chileans, in some cases protocols were not respected, there was an excessive use of force, abuses or crimes were committed, and not everyone’s rights were respected.

I would like to express my solidarity and condolences to the people who were victims of this violence, to those who suffered injuries, and very especially, to the family members of those fellow Chileans who lost their lives.  I would like you to know that our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you.

Our commitment to human rights, truth and justice demands that every case that is currently being investigated through administrative proceedings by our armed forces or the public prosecutor’s office must continue to be investigated so that, according to its merits, it can be made known and tried in our courts of justice.

There will be no impunity for those who have committed acts of unusual violence or for those who have committed outrages or abuses. We will do our utmost to help all the victims in their recovery and so that the prosecution service and courts of justice can carry out their mission of investigating and dispensing justice.

Men and women of Chile,

The Agreement for Peace means so much more than safeguarding public order and citizen safety. It also means fostering civic friendship among all Chileans. It means abiding by the rule of law and respecting the law. It means respecting the human rights of everyone and pacifying our spirits so that you and your family and all Chilean families can live, study, work or relax in peace, safely and fully exercise their freedom and their rights.

The Agreement for Social Justice means making progress, with renewed goodwill and a clear sense of urgency, towards improving the pensions of our senior citizens, the income of our workers, and the health of our families. It also means ensuring, through reasonable prices for basic services like public transport, electricity, water and tolls, that families have a cost of living that reduces their fear of not being able to make ends meet.

Our middle class families have progressed through their own effort and sacrifice, and they know it. But it is also true that some of them are fragile and many families live continuously in fear: fear of losing their job, fear of becoming sick, fear of a criminal act, fear of growing old. For this reason the Social Agenda also needs to take into account this fragility and these fears.

We are aware that the measures we have announced, and those we will announce in future, will not solve all of the problems immediately. I wish it were possible. But we do know they have meant and will mean significant relief. They also represent the firm commitment of the Government and, I believe, of all the political forces, to move forward with determination and goodwill towards a fairer Chile.

For this reason the Agreement for a New Constitution, achieved by members of congress early on Friday morning, represents a broad, solid commitment, which I am sure has the support of most citizens, who will participate actively and effectively. They will do this firstly through an entrance plebiscite. Then, secondly, by electing their representatives to the constituent body and thirdly through a final plebiscite, so that it will be the citizens who have the final say about our future Constitution.

So, if the people of Chile so decide, we will move forward towards a new Constitution, the first one to be drawn up in total democracy and accepted and respected by all. May it be a great framework of unity, legitimacy and stability for our democracy to take the paths of the future. And may it enable all citizens to process and resolve our legitimate differences within the framework of the constitution and the law. This is how we will truly move forward towards building a shared home, the home of everyone that is the nation we all revere.

Today, I want to praise and thank from the bottom of my heart that broad group of members of congress who, after many hours of difficult negotiation and legitimate discussion, were able to rise above their historical differences to achieve an agreement that places the interests of Chile and Chileans first. This is good politics, as we saw in the early hours of Friday morning.

I would also like to give my heartfelt thanks to the millions of Chileans who, despite all of the difficulties and risks, went to their places of work or study to keep Chile on its feet without stopping. To those hundreds of small- and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs, many of whom have lost the efforts of an entire lifetime and are nevertheless willing to pick themselves up and try again. To the companies that helped their employees and suppliers, and to so many families, mothers and fathers who succeeded in caring for and comforting their children who were undoubtedly affected during these days by the fear and uncertainty that violence always generates.

My fellow Chileans:

The final outcome of these 4 weeks is not yet written. It depends on us to build and walk together along the paths that will lead our country and society to a safe haven.

We have taken important steps in the right direction, such as the agreement on the 2020 budget and tax matters. But there is still a long way for us to go. And the next agreement we must build is one to improve the pensions of our senior citizens. Our Government is willing to go beyond the 20% increase that we have proposed but I want to be very clear that we need to take this path in a responsible manner. That requires gradual change so that we can fulfill with deeds rather than just good intentions.

Our Government, with the collaboration of Congress and civil society, is committed to moving forward with goodwill and urgency, to strengthen and improve the Social Agenda and promote an Agreement so we can have a Constitution that embraces everyone in Chile; so that we can build a Chile in which we are all freer; a fairer and more fraternal Chile.

And on this mission we must avoid giving in to populism and demagogy, because we know that this only leads to pain and frustration for all Chileans, especially for the poorest and those with greatest need. Our duty is to always act responsibly and with sensitivity and to build the future paths of our country on rock, rather than on sand.

Men and women of Chile,

These last 4 weeks have had a very hard and profound impact on our production system and will entail substantial costs to our economy. But I also want to say that our economy is healthy and built on sound foundations. We have a difficult task ahead of us to set it up on the path to growth. This is a task that must be addressed with vision, responsibility and hard work from all of us. We need to rebuild what the violence destroyed. We need to get out and support the many SMEs and start-ups that have suffered the hardships of this last week. We need to start up a plan to stimulate our economy so that we can get back onto the path of growth. We need to do all this so that, together, we can move forward towards a freer, fairer, and happier Chile.

My fellow Chileans:

Let’s take care of Our Families

Let’s take care of Our Democracy

Let’s take care of Our Wonderful Country

God bless Chile and the Chilean people and grant us all the wisdom and strength to walk together along the path to the future.

Thank you and good night.