Lectures: 598
In the framework of the intense constitutional discussions that are taking place in Chile, the political right has taken a crucial step towards unity. After 4:00 p.m. this Thursday, in room 221 on the second floor of the Chamber, the three delegates from the right met, Luis Silva (Republican), Arturo Phillips (Ind.-UDI) and Pilar Cuevas (RN), accompanied by of his advisers, Jorge Barrera, Francisco Bartucevic and Benjamín Lagos. The objective of this meeting was to continue the talks to negotiate amendments together, taking advantage of the 2/3 control that the opposition has in the Constitutional Council.
This second meeting between both political forces takes place in the days prior to the expiration of the term to enter the amendments, which is stipulated for July 17 at 11:59 p.m. The sector of the right considers it vitally important to reach the stage of negotiating amendments in an orderly manner, as part of a broader political pact.
With the aim of demonstrating its strength and unity, the right seeks to reach agreements on indications that address crucial issues in the content of the proposal for a new Constitution. According to sources close to the talks, both blocs have already reached a preliminary agreement on more than 15 constitutional issues.
“There are general pre-agreements to have relevant issues as a sector, not to close the debate but to, on the contrary, show our willingness, our ideas, and then talk with all the benches and thus write a Constitution that represents all Chileans,” commented counselor Phillips.
For his part, delegate Silva highlighted the progress achieved in the approximation of positions: «You cannot yet speak of white smoke. But we did have a first approach to find out what were the amendments they had in the thick issues such as health, international treaties, strike. There is room to reach joint and comprehensive amendments.
Among the issues that have been addressed so far and that generate harmony between Republicans and Chile Vamos, are freedom of choice in health, social security and ownership of pension funds, protection of the life of the unborn and maternity , constitutional supremacy and hierarchy of international treaties, limitations on the right to strike, a special chapter for the Armed Forces, among others.
However, it is clarified that the preliminary agreements are partial and do not yet cover all aspects of each topic. The advisers were left with the task of continuing to work in the newsrooms.
A willingness of the UDI to achieve the maximum possible agreement with the rest of the right has been observed. However, this intention clashes with the positions of the RN and the Republicans. The former privately acknowledge that, although there are convergences on some issues, relevant differences still persist. The Republicans, for their part, prefer not to enter all the amendments together, since they aspire to protect their space to differentiate themselves within the right and demonstrate the work they are doing as the largest bench in the Council.
One of the most sensitive points in the negotiations is the issue of health, which has generated considerable obstacles during the constitutional process. Council sources comment that the opposition will present an indication that combines the last offer presented by Chile Vamos in the Expert Commission with a proposal developed by the Res Pública Institute and the doctor Jorge Acosta, belonging to said study center.
These advances in the constitutional negotiations demonstrate an important effort by the political right to achieve unity and confront the opposition in an organized manner. As the deadline to enter the amendments approaches, it is expected that the discussions and agreements will continue, in search of a new Constitution that reflects the interests and visions of all Chileans.
With information from the Constituent Process and La Tercera
