Communist and Far-Right Candidates Advance to Chile’s Presidential Run-Off
Chile is set to enter a decisive phase in its presidential election, with a run-off scheduled for December between candidates Jeannette Jara of the Communist Party and far-right politician José Antonio Kast. The first round, which took place recently, did not yield a clear victor.
Election Overview
The election campaign has been significantly shaped by the issues of crime and immigration. Over recent years, Chile has seen a marked increase in migration, necessitating candidates to address the challenges posed by foreign gangs, particularly Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua. This has fueled a heated debate in the political arena.
Candidates and Their Platforms
- Jeannette Jara: A member of the Communist Party and part of the governing coalition, Jara narrowly topped the first round of voting.
- José Antonio Kast: A conservative lawyer and former congressman, Kast closely followed Jara. This is his third presidential campaign, having lost in the 2021 run-off.
Kast’s campaign is characterized by tough stances on immigration. He advocates for building a wall along the northern border, mass deportations of undocumented migrants, and establishing new maximum-security prisons. He associated rising crime with immigration, despite studies indicating that immigrants tend to commit fewer crimes than locals.
On the other hand, Jara aims to boost Chile’s lithium production, raise the minimum wage, and enhance border security by deploying military forces. She has emphasized the importance of protecting democracy in Chile, asserting that “it costs us a lot to recover it; today it is at risk.”
Impact of Election Results
The forthcoming run-off on 14 December will compel voters to unite behind one of the final candidates. Analysts suggest that Kast may garner additional support from other right-wing candidates who did not advance, such as center-right senator Evelyn Matthei and radical libertarian congressman Johannes Kaiser. Should this consolidation occur, it may signal a broader shift to the right in Latin America’s political landscape.
As campaigns unfold, both Jara and Kast continue to focus on their respective plans regarding crime and immigration. The political tension mirrors broader social concerns in Chile, where the foreign population has surged to over 1.9 million since 2017, with significant numbers undocumented.
Historical Context
This election is notable for its automatic voter registration and compulsory voting, a first in Chile’s electoral history. This change is intended to enhance voter participation and ensure a more representative outcome.
With both candidates holding starkly different views on immigration and governance, the Chilean public faces a pivotal choice that could shape the nation’s future significantly.
