Chile’s Presidential Run-Off Set for December 14
Former communist minister Janet Jara and conservative ex-legislator José Antonio Kast will compete in a presidential run-off on December 14, following the general election held on Sunday.
In this recent election, Chile saw eight candidates attempting to fill the role of far-left President Gabriel Boric, who will exit office at the end of his term in March 2026. Voters also renewed all 115 seats in the House of Representatives and 23 out of 50 Senate seats.
According to the latest updates from Chile’s electoral office, Jara, representing the leftist coalition Unity for Chile, garnered 26.85 percent of the votes. Kast, representing the conservative Change for Chile coalition, followed closely with 23.92 percent.
Franco Parisi from the centrist People’s Party unexpectedly took third place with 19.71 percent, while libertarian senator Johannes Kaiser secured fourth with 13.94 percent.
Since neither candidate secured an absolute majority in the first round, the election will proceed to a runoff on December 14. This election was notable for requiring voter participation alongside a fine, and turnout reached around 85%.
Janet Jara previously served as Minister of Labor under Boric. Following the initial results, her support seemed to grow. She emphasized the “legacy of progressivism” in advancing social rights, and she criticized Kast, noting, “During the 16 years he was in Congress, no one remembers any significant laws or agreements he contributed to.”
In her remarks, Jara also cautioned against succumbing to fear and called for practical safety measures rather than extreme solutions. Meanwhile, her opponent Kast’s campaign involves increased security measures, including the use of bulletproof glass.
Kast, a conservative lawyer with a congressional background from 2002 to 2018, is making his third bid for the presidency. Supporters are hopeful that “third time is the charm” for him after previous unsuccessful attempts in 2017 and 2021, where he lost to Boric in the runoff despite significant initial support.
He emphasizes that the upcoming runoff isn’t just another election; it’s a “crucial referendum” between two divergent societal paths. This sentiment mirrors his belief that his coalition can “recover and rebuild” Chile away from what he describes as a poor past governance, possibly the worst in the country’s democratic history.
In contrast, libertarian Kaiser, initially seen as a contender, clarified his stance by announcing support for Kast in the runoff while diverging from previous commitments. Similar support came from conservative former mayor Evelyn Matthei, who urged her followers to back Kast in this election against the current leftist government.
Parisi, who unexpectedly placed third, has yet to commit to supporting either candidate, stating that both need to show genuine efforts to earn his voters’ backing. His party plans internal discussions to decide on their support, likely leaning towards Kast based on historical patterns.
President Boric praised the democracy in action during the election, congratulating voters and the electoral authority while wishing both Jara and Kast the best as they head towards the runoff.
As Chile prepares for the decisive election on December 14, Boric reminded the public of the significance of their choices, saying that their informed votes will shape the country’s future.
