On September 4, Chileans cast their ballots to reject (“Rechazo”) a new draft constitution, written by the democratically elected Constitutional Convention following a political and social crisis that led to months of protests in 2019. With 61.86 percent voting to reject the bill, Chile will continue with its reformed 1980 legal charter, originally written under the military government of Augusto Pinochet.

With the recent inauguration of Gustavo Petro in Colombia, upcoming elections in Brazil, and slow post-pandemic economic recovery, Chile’s national plebiscite comes at a pivotal time for regional development. Often considered a leader for new social, political, and economic demands, the results of the plebiscite will have widespread implications.

How will the results of the plebiscite transform Chile’s political, economic, and social systems? What lays ahead for Chileans in an increasingly polarized environment? What does this mean for Chilean relations with the US and Europe and its place in the region?

Join the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center for a public virtual conversation on Thursday, September 8, 2022 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ET that will look at the results of the plebiscite and its implications for local and regional development.

Opening Remarks

Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdés
Chilean Ambassador to the United States
Republic of Chile

Speakers

Andrés Velasco
Dean, School of Public Policy
London School of Economics and Political Science
Former Minister of Finance (2006-2010)
Republic of Chile

Diana Krüger
Dean, School of Government
Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez

Eugenio Tironi
President and Partner
Tironi

Moderator

Jason Marczak
Senior Director, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center
Atlantic Council

Follow the conversation on Twitter with @ACLatAm and @AtlanticCouncil using #ACLatam