Far-right candidate José Antonio Kast is gaining momentum ahead of Chile’s 14 December runoff, despite trailing slightly behind Communist-backed Jeannette Jara in the first round of voting.
Chile’s presidential election will go to a runoff next month, after no candidate secured an outright majority in Sunday’s first round. Jeannette Jara, representing the governing coalition and the first Communist Party member to reach the final ballot, led with 27% of the vote. Kast followed closely with 24%, according to near-complete results published by electoral authorities.
The 14 December head-to-head vote will present Chileans with a stark ideological choice between Jara’s left-leaning reform agenda and Kast’s hardline platform on crime and immigration.
Kast, who lost the 2021 election to current President Gabriel Boric, has shifted focus to security issues amid growing public concern over organised crime and border control.
“Today, it became clear that the opposition defeated a failed government,” Kast told supporters, promising to crack down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
“The real victory will be when Chile returns to growth,” he added.
Jara, a former labour minister, has campaigned on raising the minimum wage, expanding healthcare access and enhancing police capacity. She framed the contest as a choice about transparency, accusing Kast of resisting anti-corruption measures such as lifting banking secrecy.
“To those who refuse, like Kast, to lift banking secrecy, I say: he who does nothing, fears nothing,” Jara said in a televised statement.
President Gabriel Boric congratulated both candidates and urged voters to participate in the decisive round.
“Sunday, December 14, Chile will hold its presidential election, electing the country’s next leader, who will govern for the next four years,” he said.
This election is the first to take place under Chile’s new system of automatic and compulsory voter registration, significantly expanding the electorate. Analysts say the tight margin reflects a polarised political climate, with economic pressures and crime now overtaking social reform as key issues.
President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore naviga...
Senior officials from the United States and China met in Paris this week for a new round of trade talks, as the world’s two largest economies...
Court documents released on Monday (16 March) revealed that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) ...
Governments around the world are responding cautiously to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for countries to send naval ships to the Strait ...
Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Friday (13 March), according to Poland’s Operational...
President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.
Senior officials from the United States and China met in Paris this week for a new round of trade talks, as the world’s two largest economies attempt to manage their economic rivalry and avoid further tensions.
Court documents released on Monday (16 March) revealed that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation suit over a 2024 documentary, arguing his re-election proves the edited 2021 speech did not harm his reputation.
Governments around the world are responding cautiously to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for countries to send naval ships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect commercial shipping and help restore the flow of global oil supplies.
Iran says it is open to talks with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by recent attacks - as Israel continues to launch wide‑scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure in the west. This live report tracks the latest developments.
President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 15 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials launched a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to resolve issues in their trade truce. The discussions aim to smooth the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.
The other evening, I was fuelling my car at a petrol station in Kenya’s capital. It was one of those small moments most motorists barely notice. The attendant filled the tank, I glanced at the pump price, paid, and drove off.
Senior officials from the United States and China met in Paris this week for a new round of trade talks, as the world’s two largest economies attempt to manage their economic rivalry and avoid further tensions.
Court documents released on Monday (16 March) revealed that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation suit over a 2024 documentary, arguing his re-election proves the edited 2021 speech did not harm his reputation.
Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Friday (13 March), according to Poland’s Operational Command.
Russia has imposed a fine of 35 million roubles (around $432,366) on the messaging platform Telegram for failing to remove content deemed illegal by the authorities, according to the Interfax news agency.
Madagascar's president, Michael Randrianirina announced the appointment of anti-corruption chief Mamitiana Rajaonarison as prime minister, six days after dismissing the previous premier along with the entire cabinet.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment