Chileans are preparing to vote in a presidential runoff election that could lead to the country’s most significant rightward shift since 1990. On Sunday, about 15.6 million registered voters will participate, with polls closing at 6 p.m. local time and initial results expected shortly after. The runoff features Jose Antonio Kast from the far-right Republican Party against Jeannette Jara, the current candidate from the leftist coalition and the Communist Party. In the first round of voting, Jara received 26.85% of the votes, while Kast got 23.92%. Many voters from the eliminated right-wing candidates are anticipated to support Kast, likely allowing him to secure over 50% of the vote.
As the campaigning concluded, both candidates criticized one another but also focused on crime, the central issue of the election. Kast, speaking in Temuco, portrayed Chile as chaotic and promised to restore order, contrasting his views with those of the current government, which he blames for insecurity. Despite being one of the safer nations in Latin America, Chile has seen a rise in organized crime and immigration that has alarmed voters. President Gabriel Boric, who cannot seek re-election, has tried to address crime with increased police funding and military deployment but has faced low approval ratings. Kast’s proposals for stricter measures have gained him considerable support.
A victory for Kast could please investors seeking a government that promotes economic reforms like deregulation and changes to the pension system. The Chilean peso has already strengthened following initial election results. Kast, running for president for the third time, has found a more receptive audience this election compared to his previous attempts in 2021. Many voters now regard the far-right choices as a viable response to their discontent with traditional politics.
This election is notable for its mandatory voting law, which requires automatic registration for voters over 18 and imposes fines for non-participation. This adds uncertainty to the outcome, as many voters remain undecided or might choose to leave their ballots blank. Jara, in her closing campaign event, emphasized the importance of not abstaining from voting, highlighting that a lot is at stake for the country’s future.
With information from Reuters
