Chilean public opinion shifts on constitutional reform four years after plebiscite

Four years after the 2022 constitutional plebiscite in Chile, public perception regarding a new constitution is shifting. According to the Criteria survey, 36% of citizens believe the country would be better off with a new constitution, a six-point increase from the previous year. Conversely, 42% believe the country would be worse off. While there is optimism regarding potential improvements in the economy and employment, 46% of respondents believe a new constitution would negatively impact national security.

Regarding the path forward, 48% of those surveyed prefer reforming the current constitution, 28% favor keeping it without changes, and 24% support starting a new constituent process.

Reflecting on the failed 2022 process, Carolina Tohá noted that the opportunity to establish a social and democratic state of law, address territorial decentralization, and improve political decision-making was lost. She argued that the political leadership of the Constitutional Convention diverted the debate toward excess rather than precision, ultimately missing a unique chance for broad societal consensus.