The Chilean presidential race is heading towards a tense runoff between the communist candidate Jeannette Jara and hard-right veteran politician José Antonio Kast. Neither candidate secured the necessary majority in the first round of voting held on Sunday, prompting the need for a second round scheduled for December 14, 2023.
With nearly 80% of the ballots counted, results show Jara, the former labor minister of Chile’s center-left government, emerging as the front-runner with just over 26% of the votes. This figure falls short of the required 50% threshold needed to claim outright victory. Kast closely follows, having garnered more than 24% of the vote, reflecting the strength of his tough-on-crime platform amidst growing concerns over rising insecurity and illegal immigration in the country.
President Gabriel Boric, who leads the leftist coalition, acknowledged the results, congratulating both Jara and Kast as they prepare for the second round. “I trust that dialogue, respect and love for Chile will prevail over any differences,” Boric stated, highlighting the importance of unity as the nation moves forward. His comments were met with enthusiastic cheers from both candidates’ supporters, who gathered at their respective campaign headquarters located on opposite ends of Santiago.
This election marks a significant moment in Chile’s political landscape, being the first presidential election since mandatory voting was introduced alongside automatic voter registration. Over 15.7 million voters were obligated to participate in the election, an effort aimed at combating the historically low voter turnout that plagued previous elections.
Despite Jara’s initial lead, the dynamics of the runoff could shift significantly, as Kast is expected to benefit from a significant portion of votes that went to eliminated right-wing challengers. The political climate in Chile could be poised for a rightward shift, which would have considerable implications for the nation, known as the world’s largest copper producer and one of the most stable economies in the region.
With the electorate deeply polarized, the upcoming weeks will be critical as both candidates seek to consolidate their support and appeal to undecided voters. The outcome of the runoff will not only determine the next president but also signal the direction of Chilean policy on issues ranging from economic management to social justice.
