The text of the new constitution "cannot erase everything that has been written"
The interview of "Ugo Guzmán" (journalist of "El Siglo" weekly) with "Guillermo Teier", the general secretary of the Communist Party of Chile, regarding the referendum on the new constitution.
Ugo Guzman: What is coming from your point of view regarding the result of the referendum?
Guillermo Thier: There are one or two basic things. The first is that the process of a new constitution to replace Pinochet's constitution should continue. And it should be a text that cannot erase everything that is written or a large part of what is presented in the new constitution, because there are issues that millions of people have talked about and that are temporary demands and must be addressed regardless. that they have received a vote of rejection or approval today. This fight continues. Another thing that is coming is that the parties that are in favor of the new constitution and support the government have issued a joint statement saying that we will remain united and we will be united in any dialogue to see how the new constitutional convention to draft the law. A new foundation is created.
Ugo Guzman: In other words, you do not agree that another draft of the constitution should be prepared by the parliament or a group of experts.
Guillermo Thier: No, we are here because a new convention has been elected.
Hugo Guzman: Despite this, the impression has been created that now the presidents of the Senate, the lower house, political representatives...
Guillermo Thier: It's not like they're putting on a show. The president (Gabriel Burik) invited them for a discussion, because they are the representatives of the legislative branch, and the president also summoned the heads of the parties. Now I know that the president wants to send a project to the parliament for what is ahead in the text of the new constitution, and this project should be discussed and the best way to do this process will be seen. What needs to be agreed upon in Congress is how the new convention will be chosen, how it will be administered, what text will be worked on, and how this process will continue.
Hugo Guzman: And how can the content of the current text be preserved, including its social demands? Because the issue is about creating a new text. For example, maintaining equality, maintaining multinationality, the power of regions...
Guillermo Thier: We will continue to fight for these. But in addition, we have heard the approach of at least part of the right, the approach of the so-called "center-left to reject" who have declared that they are in favor of everything that means social rights and equality, I hope they do not forget about the indigenous people and do not propose things that It is a huge step back from what has gone before. This should be discussed in a new constitutional convention...
