Chile's constitution vote puts Andean country at historic crossroads

A supporter of the "I Approve" option holds up a banner at the closing campaign rally ahead of a constitutional referendum in Santiago, Chile September 1, 2022. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chileans are set for a historic decision on Sunday: stick with a market-friendly constitution dating back to military dictator Augusto Pinochet or approve a progressive new text that promises to shake up the Andean country's political and social fabric.

The copper-rich country is sharply divided, with polls indicating that the new text will get rejected, despite huge popular support for tearing up the Pinochet-era constitution two years ago in the wake of months of fiery protests against inequality.