Chile president proposes delaying election on new constitution
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera on Sunday proposed delaying elections that will choose a commission to rewrite the country's dictatorship-era constitution, due to a surge in Covid-19 infections.
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera on Sunday proposed delaying elections that will choose a commission to rewrite the country's dictatorship-era constitution, due to a surge in Covid-19 infections.
Piñera said that for "the health of all the inhabitants of Chile" he would present a proposal – which would need Congress approval – to postpone the April election until May.
Chile has been registering record numbers of coronavirus infections.
With new virus variants, believed to be more contagious, spreading across Latin America, cases have been soaring in Chile despite the country's impressive vaccination drive.
Chile has also started a new and strict lockdown for more than 80 percent of its population, with shopping trips for even basic products banned during weekends.
The election – now set to be scheduled for May 15 and 16 – will choose the 155 members of the Constituent Assembly, who will rewrite the Constitution, which dates from the rule of military dictator Augusto Pinochet (1973-90).
Chileans voted overwhelmingly in October to rewrite the Constitution, which had been one of the key demands from protesters who rose up in October 2019 to lead months of protests against social inequality.
Chileans will return to the voting booths on November 21 to elect a successor to Piñera, who cannot stand for re-election.
– AFP
related news
-
MercadoLibre weathers Argentina tumult with Mexico, Brazil gains
-
US reprimands Latin American nations in parental kidnapping report
-
Milei's foreign policy based on whims and mystical fantasies
-
Gaza conflict shows limits of Argentina and Brazil’s influence in Middle East
-
Netflix is betting big on Latin America to expand its viewership
-
Argentine firms refuse to refuel Cuban state airline’s planes
-
Time for 'democratic transition' in Venezuela, says opposition candidate
-
Mercosur deal is ‘absolute priority’ for the EU, says chief negotiator
-
Stories that caught our eye: April 12 to 19
-
Banned Venezuela opposition leader Machado insists she is 'Plan A'