Inside Story

A new era for Chile?

Chileans have voted to replace a constitution dating from the military dictatorship.

It has been 30 years since Chile emerged from military dictatorship to become a democracy.

Yet Chileans remain governed by a constitution written by General Augosto Pinochet, the dictator who ruled in the 1970s and 1980s.

But that is about to change.

An overwhelming 78 percent of people voted this week to have a new constitution written. Voters also rejected a proposal to leave that job to politicians.

Sunday’s referendum was the culmination of a year of protests focused on inequality in one of Latin America’s wealthiest countries – but the hard part begins now.

Will change in Chile live up to the protesters’ expectations?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests: 

Boris van der Spek – Editor-in-chief, Chile Today

Marta Lagos – Founding director, Latinobarometro

Eric Farnsworth – Vice president, Council of the Americas