Chile's new leader attends constitutional convention

Chile's next president Gabriel Boric attended a meeting of the constitutional convention on Tuesday in Chile's capital.

The 155-member body is charged with drafting a constitution to replace one that has governed it since being imposed during a military dictatorship.

During a statement outside the former Congress building, and standing next to the convention's president, Elisa Loncón, Boric said the constitutional convention is the entity that "has the power to discuss which are the constitutional norms from now on."

"I have no doubt that they will act with wisdom, in the best sense and thinking of the best for all Chileans," he said. "I am not going to try to guide the convention regarding what it has to do, but rather respect and implement what is deliberately decided."

The convention — the nation's most powerful elected institution — could in theory call for new presidential elections when it concludes its work next year and if the new charter is ratified in a plebiscite.

At 35, Boric will become Chile's youngest modern president when he takes office in March.

His government is likely to be closely watched throughout Latin America, where Chile has long been a harbinger of regional trends.

IMAGE: AP