Chilean referendum, 1989
Encyclopedia
The 1989 Chilean referendum was a national plebiscite held on 30 July 1989 to reform the constitution
. The amendments were approved by 91.25% of the votes. A total of 7,556,613 citizens voted.
If approved, 54 constitutional reforms were to be implemented, among which the reform of the way that the Constitution itself could be reformed, the restriction of state of emergency
dispositions, the affirmation of political pluralism, the strengthening of constitutional rights as well as of the democratic
principle and participation to the political life.
Thereafter, Aylwin won the December 1989 presidential election with 55,17% of the votes, against less than 30% for the right-wing candidate, Hernan Büchi
, who had been Pinochet's Minister of Finances since 1985. Pinochet thus left the presidency on March 11, 1990 and transferred power to the new democratically elected president.
Constitution of Chile
In its temporary dispositions, the document ordered the transition from the former military government, with Augusto Pinochet as President of the Republic, and the Legislative Power of the Military Junta , to a civil one, with a time frame of eight...
. The amendments were approved by 91.25% of the votes. A total of 7,556,613 citizens voted.
If approved, 54 constitutional reforms were to be implemented, among which the reform of the way that the Constitution itself could be reformed, the restriction of state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
dispositions, the affirmation of political pluralism, the strengthening of constitutional rights as well as of the democratic
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
principle and participation to the political life.
Thereafter, Aylwin won the December 1989 presidential election with 55,17% of the votes, against less than 30% for the right-wing candidate, Hernan Büchi
Hernán Büchi
Hernán Büchi Buc is a Chilean economist and politician. He served as Minister of the Treasury under the government of Augusto Pinochet between 1985 and 1989.After the recession of the early 1980s, Büchi's appointment as Finance Minister in 1985:...
, who had been Pinochet's Minister of Finances since 1985. Pinochet thus left the presidency on March 11, 1990 and transferred power to the new democratically elected president.