December Run-Off in Chile as Election Produces No Winner

Published: 17 November 2025 Monday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Communist and far-right candidates are set to face off in a December presidential run-off in Chile after Sunday’s first-round vote failed to produce a decisive winner. The election will pit Jeannette Jara of the Communist Party, from the governing coalition, against far-right contender José Antonio Kast, creating a dramatic showdown that could determine Chile’s political direction for years to come.

The campaign has been dominated by concerns over crime and immigration, as the country has seen a significant increase in foreign nationals in recent years. Candidates across the political spectrum promised to tackle foreign gangs, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, which has been linked to a variety of criminal activities in Chile.

In the first round, Jara narrowly secured the lead, benefiting from being the only major left-wing candidate, while the right-wing vote was split among several contenders. Analysts suggest that this fragmentation could now work in Kast’s favour, as he is likely to consolidate votes from other candidates who did not advance, including centre-right senator Evelyn Matthei and libertarian congressman Johannes Kaiser. The second-round election, scheduled for 14 December, will require voters to coalesce around one of these two candidates. If Kast successfully unites the right, Chile may follow a trend seen in other parts of Latin America, where conservative parties have gained ground amid concerns over crime, economic uncertainty, and migration.

José Antonio Kast, a conservative lawyer and former congressman, lost the 2021 presidential run-off to President Gabriel Boric and is attempting the presidency for the third time. He has built a platform based on strict security policies and socially conservative values. Kast has advocated for a hardline approach to immigration, including the construction of a border wall, and opposes abortion even in cases of rape. He has criticised environmental and indigenous activism and has called for a smaller, more streamlined state. Kast’s family background has attracted attention, with his brother having served as a minister during Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship and his father having been a member of the Nazi party. On election night, Kast framed the vote as a choice between change and the continuation of what he described as “a very bad government, perhaps the worst in the democratic history of Chile.”

Jeannette Jara, although a member of the Communist Party, is widely seen as centre-left in practice. She served as a minister in President Boric’s administration and campaigned on policies designed to strengthen Chile’s economy and security infrastructure. Her platform included increasing lithium production, raising the minimum wage, constructing new prisons, and deploying the army to protect Chile’s borders. As election results came in, Jara emphasised the importance of safeguarding democracy, saying that it must be taken care of and valued, noting that “today it is at risk,” signaling her commitment to both stability and progressive reforms.

Crime and immigration were central topics throughout the campaign. Chile has experienced rising rates of organised crime, including kidnappings and gang-related violence, which candidates have framed as urgent national security issues. The foreign population has grown significantly since 2017, reaching more than 1.9 million by December 2023. Among them, at least 330,000 are undocumented migrants, many from Venezuela, creating challenges for law enforcement and government services. Kast has repeatedly linked rising crime to immigration, advocating mass deportations and stricter border controls. He has proposed building ditches along Chile’s northern borders with Peru and Bolivia and constructing new maximum-security prisons modeled on facilities in El Salvador, part of that country’s controversial crackdown on gang violence.

Jara has also addressed public safety, promising to build new prisons and expel foreign nationals convicted of drug trafficking. Both candidates, despite their ideological differences, emphasise law and order as a priority, reflecting widespread public concern over security.

This election marks the first time in Chilean history that all eligible voters were automatically registered and that voting is compulsory. Analysts suggest that these changes may significantly influence voter turnout and the composition of the electorate, potentially benefiting candidates able to appeal to a broader demographic.

Political observers note the strategic positioning of both candidates. Jara represents continuity with Boric’s centre-left policies, while Kast appeals to voters seeking a decisive shift to the right. The run-off will test the resilience of Chile’s democratic institutions, as voters weigh crime, migration, economic policy, and social values.

The outcome of the December run-off is expected to have broader implications for both Chile’s domestic policy and regional politics. If Kast succeeds, Chile could become the latest Latin American country to turn toward conservative governance in response to concerns over migration, crime, and economic uncertainty. Conversely, a Jara victory would signal continued influence of left-leaning policies, including progressive labour reforms, expansion of social programs, and government-led resource development. Both scenarios highlight the delicate balance Chile faces between maintaining stability, promoting economic growth, and addressing social challenges.

As Chileans prepare to cast their votes in the run-off, the election is being closely watched both domestically and internationally. The stakes are high, with the winner inheriting a complex socio-political landscape that includes ongoing challenges in crime prevention, migration management, and economic development. The campaign has focused on security, immigration, and governance, presenting voters with two sharply contrasting visions for the country’s future. Whether Chile moves toward far-right conservatism or continues on a centre-left path will shape the nation’s political trajectory for years to come.

The Chilean election also reflects broader trends across Latin America, where voters increasingly respond to concerns over crime, migration, and governance. The run-off highlights the region’s political volatility and the ways in which public sentiment on security and economic stability continues to shape electoral outcomes.

Chile’s political future will be decided in the coming weeks, and the outcome will offer insight into the broader ideological shifts taking place in Latin America. The December run-off represents not only a test of the two candidates’ appeal but also a referendum on how Chileans want their government to respond to the challenges of crime, migration, and economic development. As the country approaches this critical vote, the attention of voters, political analysts, and international observers remains focused on the implications of the result for Chile and the wider region.