Chile postpones referendum on new constitution amid coronavirus concerns News
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Chile postpones referendum on new constitution amid coronavirus concerns

Lawmakers in Chile on Thursday agreed to postpone a nationwide referendum on a new constitution amid concerns about the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

President Sebastian Pinera signed a law last December scheduling a national referendum on a new constitution following months of protests. The vote was set for April 26, but the ministry of health recently predicted that date would be the height of coronavirus infections in the country. There are currently 434 confirmed cases in Chile, among the highest per capita in South America.

Lawmakers have tentatively set a new date of October 26, but officially setting the date will require approval by two-thirds of congress in a formal vote.