SANTIAGO – Since Aug. 26, different organizations and political parties have been campaigning for the Apruebo and Rechazo options for the Oct. 25 referendum on a new constitution. From music to comedy, both sides have released videos that have already become viral sensations. Their efficacy remains to be seen.
In a referendum on Oct. 25, Chile will decide whether it wants a new constitution – and the mechanism to rewrite it – or to keep the current one and go on reforming it piece by piece. The official campaign period started on Aug. 26 and the groups campaigning for the Apruebo (“Approve”) and Rechazo (“Reject”) options immediately launched new audiovisual content to reach voters.
Apruebo Campaign
Higher pensions, less corruption, a better healthcare system, and high-quality education are some of the demands behind the protests, and many think that these can only be achieved by rewriting the constitution. Groups campaigning for Apruebo also say the current constitution is illegitimate because it was written under Pinochet’s dictatorship.
Progressive Convergence, a group consisting of the Socialist Party, the Radical Party (PR), and the Party For Democracy (PPD), launched yoapruebo2020.cl with content primarily created by the Socialist Party. Among several videos, one of the most viewed is a rap production that calls to vote for a “blank paper” to rewrite the constitution from scratch.
"Blanco es el color que va a dar a luz algo nuevo, algo nuestro, algo lleno de virtud. Una obra colectiva de tal magnitud, que es capaz de a un pueblo entero darle plenitud". #PSaprueba #ConvenciónConstitucional #Apruebo pic.twitter.com/nbBt1bMAla
— Partido Socialista de Chile (@PSChile) August 26, 2020
The PR also launched its own content with “reflective thoughts” on the reasons to vote for Apruebo, with a mix of humor and critiques of Pinochet’s dictatorship.
✍️Son muchas las razones para votar #Apruebo y #ConvenciónConstitucional este 25 de octubre votamos todas y todos por un nuevo Chile. ¿Cuáles son tus razones?🧐 Acá van algunas de las nuestras! 👇 🙋#elquepiensaaPRueba 🙋♀️#laquepiensaaPRueba pic.twitter.com/G5yjuprYle
— Partido Radical (@PRadicalcl) August 26, 2020
PPD members also started sharing their content.
Además de votar #Apruebo una #NuevaConstitucion es necesario buscar apoyos por una #ConvencionConstitucional porque es la fórmula que nos garantiza que no serán los mismos de siempre los que redactarán la nueva carta magna #ChileAprueba pic.twitter.com/Cvdrh7Wdvj
— ProvidenciaPPD (@PpdProvidencia) September 2, 2020
Yo Voto Apruebo (“I Vote Approve”) is a campaign launched by the Christian Democrats. Some of their videos call to take care of each other during the pandemic and to stay home so we can “come together” on Oct. 25.
Hoy comienza la campaña más linda y llena de esperanza: juntos iremos a buscar una Nueva Constitución para Chile. Cuidémonos para hacer de este un plebiscito seguro y participativo. Y el 25 de octubre encontrémonos todos en un gran #YOAPRUEBO, #ConvenciónConstitucional #Apruebo pic.twitter.com/h59qPcDYzV
— #YoApruebo (@YoApruebo_) August 26, 2020
Que Chile Decida (“Let Chile Decide”) was launched by the Broad Front. They released several videos focusing on the mechanism to write a new constitution, calling to vote for a constitutional convention over a mixed convention.
🙆🏻♀️ HILO I ¡Que no te engañen! #MixtaNoEsParidad #ParidadEsConvencionConstitucional pic.twitter.com/K9VxNIDjkv
— #QueChileDecida (@Quechiledecida_) September 1, 2020
The group Apruebo Chile Digno (“I Approve Worthy Chile”), consisting of the Progressive Party, the Communist Party, the Equality Party, and the Green Social Regionalist Federation, also shared content with reasons to vote for a new constitution and reminding people to wear face masks.
Este 25 de octubre, por una Nueva Constitución que garantice derechos sociales y nos incluya a todxs, #AprueboChileDigno.
—/— #Apruebo Chile Digno
—/— Convención Constitucional pic.twitter.com/yuJfpIgDzB
— Apruebo Chile Digno (@AprueboChDigno) August 26, 2020
National Renewal (RN) has published videos explaining that even though some of their members are campaigning for different options, they all want the same thing: “the best for Chile.” The content calling to vote for Apruebo says that the rewriting of the constitution does not start with a blank page, but that it is built on “everything good in Chile.”
Jingle de franja de @RNchile #QueremosLoMejorParaChile (corto) pic.twitter.com/kA7JkjX403
— pablomatamoros (@pablomatamoros) February 12, 2020
👍 En RN se respeta la diversidad y las distintas posturas. Campañas limpias y correctas 😉
El #YoApruebo en RN dice que la constitución no parte con una hoja en blanco: se construye con todo lo bueno de Chile ✔️
⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bqOi78CB4U
— Renovación Nacional 🇨🇱 (@RNchile) February 26, 2020
Rechazo Campaign
Those groups campaigning for Rechazo argue that rewriting the entire constitution will take too long. Many say that there is no need to “bring the whole house down” to improve health, education, and pensions. Others call on the public not to “give in to violence and pressure.”
The RN is internally divided, with some campaigning for Apruebo while others have been actively promoting Rechazo. The latter members have come together under the slogan “Reject to Reform,” mainly trying to point out the long time it would take to rewrite the constitution, at least two years according to the video shared by Congress Member Diego Schalper (RN).
No podemos ni necesitamos dos años para enfrentar los problemas sociales de Chile, que por lo demás no se resuelven cambiando artículos de la Constitución. No dilatemos más. Hagamos ahora la reformas legales que traerán soluciones a las personas! #RechazarParaReformar pic.twitter.com/sMoo1C8RcH
— Diego Schalper (@Diego_Schalper) August 26, 2020
The Rechazo group has also released several comedic videos mocking the logic that a new constitution will solve Chile’s problems.
The Independent Democratic Union (UDI) is also experiencing division. Some members have declared they will vote for Rechazo. Others, like the party’s president Jaqueline Van Rysselberghe, say the plebiscite lacks legitimacy, and some argue that it should not be done due to the pandemic.
However, a handful of UDI Congresspersons have shown their support for the approval of a new constitution, such as Providencia Mayor Joaquín Lavín and Estación Central Mayor Rodrigo Delgado.
María José Hepp is currently finishing her Journalism degree at Pontificia Universidad Católica. Living- hearing- and telling stories is her passion. Main interests are international relations, culture, and human rights.