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Chile: Chaos in the Parliament – Wood fell just before the referendum on the Constitution

Wood fell yesterday in the Parliament at Chile when far-right congressman Gonzalo de la Carrera punched the right eye of the deputy speaker of the ParliamentAlexis Sepulveda, of the Radical Party during the congressional session in Valparaiso.

The clash is raising tension in the country four days before a referendum on whether or not to approve the draft of the new Constitution, which will replace the current one, a legacy of the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990). Over 15 million voters in Chile are called to the polls on Sunday, with participation in the process being mandatory. If the proposed text is rejected, the current one – several of its provisions have been modified in the context of the approximately ten review procedures since the restoration of the Republic – will remain in force.

“I saw a colleague being verbally attacked (by Gonzalo de la Carrera), I thought that was not appropriate and I asked this deputy not to be so aggressive, to which he reacted violently,” Mr Sepulveda told the press, adding how was he receiveda punch and a few kicks.”

For his part, Carrera admitted that he attacked Mr. Sepulveda, but claimed that the center-left parliamentarian attacked him first, hitting him “with his chest” as a result of which “I defended myself”, APE-MPE reports, citing AFP.

The far-right MP opposes the draft Constitution proposed in Chile. His actions were denounced by his colleagues, he was subsequently reported to the House Ethics Committee and expelled from the Republican Party.

The scandal in Congress is recorded against the background of the escalation of tension in the country. Over the weekend supporters and opponents of the new Constitution clashed in the center of the capital Santiago with at least one person injured.

Source: News Beast

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