Americas

Chile’s Conservative Parties to Lead Constitution Rewrite After Massive Win in Snub to President Boric

Right-wing obtains majority needed to push through changes
Chilean assets are expected to rally after resounding win

A voter casts a ballot at a polling station during the Constitutional Council elections in Santiago, Chile, on May 7.Photographer: Cristobal Olivares/Bloomberg

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By Matthew Malinowski and Valentina Fuentes

May 7, 2023 at 12:00 PM UTC

Updated on

May 8, 2023 at 11:22 AM UTC

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Chile’s opposition conservatives dealt a significant blow to the government of Gabriel Boric, in an election upset that undermines the president’s progressive agenda and sets up a potential rally in local assets.

Lists of right-wing candidates won 33 seats Sunday in voting to a council charged with drafting a new constitution, more than the three-fifths majority needed to push through articles at will, according to electoral body Servel. Leftist contenders obtained 17 spots, while one seat went to an indigenous representative.