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Opposition Rejects Plan for New Chilean Constitution

Reuters

   SANTIAGO, CHILE - A plan by President Sebastian Pinera to draft a new
   constitution for Chile was criticized Monday by the opposition and even
   his own political ranks.

   The proposal unveiled Sunday by Interior Minister Gonzalo Blumel is one
   of a series of measures aimed at quelling weeks of protests by Chileans
   over economic inequality and other grievances.

   It calls for a new charter to be drafted by a "constituent congress"
   and then put to a plebiscite, Blumel said.

   But the opposition said the proposed process was inadequate, partly
   because it would rely on current legislators who are viewed with
   suspicion by protesters. They also said the plebiscite should occur at
   the beginning of the process, so people's views could be considered.

   "The citizenry is demanding something different," opposition Sen.
   Felipe Harboe said. He said people want a "constituent assembly" or
   some other form of direct participation in writing any constitution.

   "Parliamentarians don't have credibility today," said Sen. Manuel Jose
   Ossandon, who is part of Pinera's governing coalition. "The parliament
   doesn't have credibility to do something without the more active
   participation of the community."

   Karla Rubilar, the government spokeswoman, on Monday rejected the call
   for a constituent assembly, which would involve the election of a group
   of citizens to draft the new constitution.

   Students in Chile began protesting nearly a month ago over a subway
   fare hike. But demonstrations quickly blew up into a huge protest
   movement demanding improvements in basic services and benefits,
   including pensions, health and education. Chile is one of Latin
   America's richest, but most socially unequal countries.

   While most protests have been peaceful, at least 20 people have died in
   clashes between protesters and police.

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