Constitutional revision in Chile: MEPs conclude their visit
A delegation of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs travelled to Chile (19 - 21 June) to discuss with authorities and civil society the second attempt to draft a new Constitution.
The Constitutional Affairs Committee delegation looked into the drafting of a second draft for a new Constitution, after the first one was rejected in the September 2022 referendum. Driven by MEPs’ interest for the region's democratic development and in light of the potential revision of the EU Treaties, MEPs met parliamentarians from both houses, government and political representatives, and academics and civil society leaders.
The delegation was led by the Chair of the Committee Salvatore De Meo (EPP, IT), and comprised Loránt VINCZE (EPP, RO), Sven SIMON (EPP, DE), Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT), Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D, DE), Gerolf ANNEMANS (ID, BE).
Statement
Chair De Meo commented at the end of the visit, on behalf of the delegation: “We had several meetings with civil society, academics, experts and politicians on the constitutional process ongoing in Chile, and we are grateful for the rich exchange of views with all interlocutors. With its second attempt to write a new constitution, Chile is showing courage and determination. The proposal made by the Commission of Experts seems to be a solid basis for the Constitutional Council to begin its work. It will be fundamental that all political parties are engaged in the dialogue, that citizens’ needs are taken fully into consideration, and that all stakeholders and sectors fell ownership of the final text. The timeframe is rather short, as on 17 December 2023 citizens will be asked to vote on a constitutional referendum. We wish a successful ending to this process, to make democracy stronger and increase citizens’ trust towards public institutions.”
Programme of the visit
MEPs had meetings with the Minister General of the Secretariat of the Presidency, Alvaro Elizalde; the newly elected President of Constitutional Council, Beatriz Hevia; the President of the Experts Committee, Verónica Undurraga; and the Presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies’ Committees on Legal, Constitutional and Legislative Affairs, Luz Ebensperger Orrego and Raúl Leiva Carvajal, respectively. Before these meetings, MEPs will discuss pertinent issues with academics, experts, and civil society.
The full programme is available here. The delegation’s visit coincided and was organised in collaboration with the Committee on Foreign Affairs’ mission to the country.