Chileans vote in a tense national elections, which advanced Jeannette Jara and José Antonio Kast to a December runoff [Image by NPR]
(The Post News) – Chileans voted Sunday in a crucial presidential and parliamentary election. The election is defined by growing fears over crime, illegal immigration, and economic stagnation. The vote resulted in a sharp runoff battle for December 14. It features leftist candidate Jeannette Jara and far-right contender José Antonio Kast.
With over 80 percent of ballots counted, Jara had 26.7%, with Kast not far behind at 24.1%, according to the electoral service Servel. Eight candidates competed for the top spot. None of them topped 50 percent. This means Chile heads into its first-ever mandatory-voting runoff.
Crime and Immigration Drive Voter Concerns
Although divided by opposite ideological poles, Jara and Kast concentrated their campaigns on a single volatile issue: public insecurity. Many voters blame a steep rise in gang-related violence on a surge of irregular migration from Venezuela.
“Both candidates moved toward the center,” said Rodolfo Disi, a political scientist. He pointed to Jara’s emphasis on fiscal responsibility. He also noted Kast’s toned-down culture-war rhetoric.
Chile’s foreign-born population has doubled since 2017, reaching the figure of 1.6 million. More than 300,000 migrants remain undocumented, and every major candidate promised tougher border security and mass deportations.
“Everyone thinks kicking out foreigners fixes everything,” said Oscar Meina, a Venezuelan voter who lives in Santiago. “If voting weren’t obligatory, I wouldn’t vote for anyone.”
Populist economist Franco Parisi took third place with a strong performance. He was followed by libertarian lawmaker Johannes Kaiser. Conservative veteran Evelyn Matthei came next. Kaiser and Matthei quickly endorsed Kast. Parisi refused to endorse either candidate. He told supporters that both campaigns now have to go look for new voters on the street.
Analysts say Jara enters the runoff at a disadvantage, since the combined right-wing vote nearly doubles her own. “The numbers strongly favor Kast,” said Rodrigo Arellano of the University for Development.
President Gabriel Boric is barred from seeking re-election. He congratulated both runoff candidates. He said the vote was a “spectacular day of democracy.”
Ms. Jara called on voters not to let fear decide the course of Chile’s future. She promised more police hires, stronger anti-money laundering efforts and border security that targets specific areas. She also emphasized affordability proposals, including a “living income” of about $800 and new housing and infrastructure investments.
Kast framed the runoff as a battle for the nation’s survival. He promised to build walls, fences, and trenches along the northern border with Bolivia. He also vowed to deport tens of thousands of undocumented migrants. “This election defines our generation,” he told cheering supporters.
The election marked a dramatic turn from the optimism that brought Boric to power in 2021. Boric’s reform agenda had stalled under economic pressure. Congressional gridlock exacerbated the situation. Meanwhile, headlines about kidnappings, extortion, and drug-trafficking dominated national news.
“Some politicians want people to believe Chile is collapsing,” said voter Loreta Sleir. “But I don’t see that.”
Jara is one of the few modern working-class presidential candidates in Chile. He has come under fire for his lifetime affiliation with the Communist Party. The Communist Party backs autocratic regimes in Cuba and Venezuela. Kast still faces controversy over his opposition to abortion and divorce. His father’s membership in the Nazi Party is also controversial. He says this occurred under duress because of obligatory military service.
The Road to December 14
Both campaigns now have to persuade centrist voters who distrust both extremes. Analysts expect them to soften their platforms. “Winning the center decides this election,” said Disi. Chileans, meanwhile, want immediate solutions to rising crime and a sluggish economy.
The December runoff will determine the presidency. It will also shape the direction of a country wrestling with instability. Additionally, it will serve as a bellwether for a region where the political pendulum continues to swing sharply.
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