The new proposed constitution set to be voted on by Chileans on Sunday, Sept. 4, is a contrast with the Constitution inherited from the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990), which left education, health and other social matters in the hands of the market.

Among the changes proposed in the 178-page document are 388 articles and 57 transitory norms. If approved by voters, the rights and norms would then be in the hands of Chile's Congress to provide structure.

In addition, this proposal describes the country as a "social and democratic state of law," since it must provide goods and services to ensure the rights of Chilean citizens.

Unlike the 1980 Constitution, it states that the State must "contribute to create the social conditions" for the realization of people, but they cannot participate in any other business activity.

The current Constitution divides the Congress between the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The latter is in charge of "perfecting" the work of the deputies. With the new proposal, the Senate would be eliminated and two Chambers would be created without the same decision-making power between them.

The new Constitution would establish a Congress of Deputies for the formation of laws and a Chamber of Regions only for those "of regional agreement," but both do not have the same power the Senate has held until now.

For the health system, the new constitution proposes the Universal National Health System, since most members of the middle-class pay high costs for services. Today, employees are obliged to allocate 7% of their salaries to health care. That amount goes 100% to the private sector, but these do not cover 100% of an illness, surgery or medicines. 

Since 2019, after the social protests, the new constitution represents a change for supporters that favors everyone equally.

More than 15 million voters must vote on Sunday for "I approve" or "I reject."