Chile experts start draft of new constitution

A commission of 24 experts began on Monday the drafting of a new constitution for Chile that, if approved by the citizens, will replace the current one imposed in 1981.The first vote took place in September, when 62% of the electorate rejected a first text written by a convention dominated by the left.

The second vote will be on December 17.The group began its work at the Congress headquarters in the Chilean capital with the election of its authorities: the pro-government Verónica Undurraga will be the president and the center-right Sebastián Soto will accompany her as vice-president.

The experts, 12 men and 12 women appointed by Congress, will have three months to draw up a draft constitutional bill on which a 50-member parity Constitutional Council will have to work and which will have to prepare the new project in four months. The members of the Council will be democratically elected on May 7, when it will also be determined how many Indigenous representatives will be added to the Council.