Chilean voters head to polls for presidential runoff
The runoff follows a November first-round contest in which Jara, representing the Communist Party, narrowly finished ahead with 27% of the vote, while Kast, from the Republican Party, secured 24%. Despite that outcome, Kast has emerged as the frontrunner going into the final vote.
According to recent surveys released ahead of the runoff, Kast is projected to win comfortably, with forecasts suggesting a gap of roughly 10 percentage points. His advantage is largely attributed to support from right-wing voters and candidates who were eliminated in the crowded first round, where right-leaning forces collectively garnered more than half of the total vote.
Jara, meanwhile, is campaigning in a challenging political climate. Although she topped the first round, her prospects have been undermined by the low public approval of the current administration led by President Gabriel Boric, whose government is aligned with the same ruling coalition.
Public debate during the campaign has centered on issues that have favored Kast’s platform. While Chile continues to rank among the safer nations in Latin America, increasing concerns over organized crime, rising homicide rates, and high-profile incidents such as kidnappings have contributed to public anxiety. Kast has positioned himself as the candidate of law and order, pledging sweeping action to restore security.
His proposals include building detention and deportation facilities for migrants, reinforcing border areas with physical barriers such as walls, fences, and trenches, and expanding the authority of security forces. “Those who attempt to enter violently or disobey orders will be subdued with strict protocols,” his program warns.
In contrast, Jara has outlined less hardline policies on migration, focusing on regulatory measures. Among her proposals is the creation of an official registry to document the more than 330,000 undocumented migrants currently residing in Chile.
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