Background on Key Candidates
Santiago, Chile. On Sunday, Chileans will head to the polls to elect their next president in a campaign marked by concerns over security and irregular migration. The communist former Labor Minister Jeannette Jara and ultraright candidate José Antonio Kast lead the polls, positioning themselves as favorites for a runoff on December 14.
Contextualizing the Candidates
In a country where homicides have tripled in the last decade and violent robberies, known as “turbazos,” have increased, the public debate has shifted from pushing social reforms to controlling crime and securing the northern border, through which thousands of migrants, mostly Venezuelans, enter the country.
Both candidates have focused their campaigns on combating crime and irregular migration. In Chile, a copper and lithium-rich nation with one of the continent’s strongest economies, there are approximately 337,000 undocumented foreigners, mostly Venezuelans, according to official figures.
Candidate Proposals
José Antonio Kast:
A 59-year-old lawyer and self-proclaimed admirer of Augusto Pinochet, Kast has centered his campaign on a tough stance against irregular migration. His plan includes building a border wall, deploying 3,000 military personnel, and expelling foreigners with criminal records. He has set aside issues like abortion or same-sex marriage.
“In the future, those who will be afraid are the drug traffickers, organized crime, and terrorists. Chile will experience a real and radical change,” Kast stated in the final debate before the election.
Jeannette Jara:
Jara, 51, promises to strengthen police presence and combat organized crime by lifting bank secrecy. Although she supports firm security policies, she aims to maintain the social focus of Gabriel Boric’s government, for which she served as Labor Minister.
Mandatory Voting
Despite leading in first-round voting intentions, analysts warn that Jara may face a challenging second round, as Kast could gather support from other right-wing candidates.
“Jara’s affiliation with the Communist Party makes this election a tough battle,” notes Michael Shifter, a Latin American Studies professor at Georgetown University.
More than 15.6 million citizens are called to participate in these elections, where voting is now mandatory, and penalties for abstention could reach up to $100.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the leading candidates? Jeannette Jara, a communist former Labor Minister, and José Antonio Kast, an ultraright candidate.
- What are their main campaign focuses? Kast emphasizes a hardline approach to irregular migration, while Jara prioritizes strengthening police presence and combating organized crime.
- Why is this election significant? This election marks the first time voting is mandatory in Chile, with penalties for abstention potentially reaching $100.
- What challenges do the candidates face? Kast may gather support from other right-wing candidates in a potential runoff, while Jara’s communist affiliation poses a significant challenge.
