Election Overview
Six candidates, including a communist and one from the far-right, will compete for Chile’s presidency in the general elections on November 16, according to the Servicio Electoral (Servel).
The deadline for campaign registration ends on Monday.
Frontrunners and Key Candidates
Current polls favor José Antonio Kast, a far-right lawyer, and Jeannette Jara, a former communist minister representing the center-left coalition. Evelyn Matthei, a former right-wing mayor, and economist Franco Parisi are vying for third place.
José Antonio Kast
Kast, 59, held a rally in Antofagasta (1,300 km north of Santiago) to register his third candidacy. He pledged a “firm hand” to tackle crime, a major concern for Chileans who associate it with increased migration (8.8% of the population), according to polls.
Kast lost in the second round against Gabriel Boric in 2021. He stated, “Chileans are tired, overwhelmed. We have been in a state of decline for more than a decade.” Kast chose a region with one of the highest percentages of migrant population for this event.
His main rival is a 51-year-old communist lawyer making her debut as a candidate. As labor minister, she negotiated significant labor reforms with the right.
She leads a coalition ranging from the Communist Party to the Christian Democracy after winning the primary on June 29.
Jeannette Jara
Jara, a former communist minister, is part of the center-left coalition and has gained traction in polls. Her background in labor reforms as a minister could be an advantage.
Evelyn Matthei and Franco Parisi
Matthei, a traditional right-wing candidate, and Parisi, a populist economist, are competing for third place. Matthei once led the polls but has lost ground to Kast recently.
Parisi surprised many in the previous elections by securing third place with a social media campaign from the United States, criticizing elites.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the main candidates for Chile’s presidency? Six candidates, including José Antonio Kast (far-right), Jeannette Jara (communist), Evelyn Matthei (traditional right-wing), and Franco Parisi (populist economist), will compete in the November 16 elections.
- What are the key issues in this election? Crime and migration are significant concerns for Chilean voters, with candidates addressing these issues in their campaigns.
- Who are the frontrunners according to current polls? José Antonio Kast and Jeannette Jara are leading in the polls for the center-left coalition.
- What is the background of the main candidates? Kast, a lawyer, has run for president twice before. Jara, a former labor minister, has experience in labor reforms. Matthei is a former mayor, and Parisi gained attention through an unconventional social media campaign.
