ChileChile Heads Toward a Presidential Runoff Between Jara and Kast
With a turnout close to 85%, the ruling coalition’s candidate, Jeanette Jara (Unidad por Chile), secured first place in the presidential election with 26.85% of the vote, followed by José Antonio Kast (Partido Republicano), who obtained 23.92%. Since neither candidate surpassed 50%, both will compete in the presidential runoff scheduled for December 14. In addition, the entire Chamber of Deputies and part of the Senate were renewed.
Although Jara was the most-voted candidate, she did not achieve a significant advantage that would allow her to enter the runoff from a comfortable position. The right, by contrast, heads into the second round strengthened. The two main contenders who were left out of the race, Johannes Kaiser and Evelyn Matthei, announced their support for Kast, consolidating a robust right-wing bloc ahead of the final vote. Kaiser received 13.94% and Matthei 12.46%, percentages that—if transferred—could bring Kast close to 50% in the runoff.
Third place went to Franco Parisi (Partido de la Gente), who obtained 19.71%, a stronger performance than anticipated by polls. His voters—characterized by diverse profiles, dissatisfaction with the traditional political system, and strong concerns around security and the economy—become a key factor in determining the outcome. Although Parisi has stated he will not endorse either candidate, his electorate will be decisive in tipping the balance in an extremely competitive scenario.
Ahead of the runoff, Jara will attempt to expand her appeal toward the political center and toward those who did not feel represented by more polarized options. In her post-election speech, she signaled a more moderate tone by incorporating proposals from other candidates, such as Parisi’s call to eliminate VAT on medicines, cultural initiatives promoted by Eduardo Artés, and oncology-related measures put forward by Matthei. Kast, meanwhile, aims to consolidate unity across the right’s broad spectrum and capitalize on the wave of support he received on election night.
The New Chilean Congress
In parallel, the legislative election reshaped the political landscape of Congress, where the more radical wing of the right significantly increased its presence. In the Chamber of Deputies, right-wing coalitions will hold 76 seats as of March 11—just two short of an absolute majority. Traditional right-wing parties, however, lose influence compared to the previous composition, while the coalition Cambio por Chile—which brings together the Partido Republicano, Partido Social Cristiano, and Partido Nacional Libertario—emerges as one of the big winners, securing 42 seats. The ruling coalition Unidad por Chile, meanwhile, will have 61 deputies, in a Congress where independent parties lose almost all representation and the Partido de la Gente consolidates 14 seats, positioning itself as a pivotal actor in any legislative agreement.
In the Senate, where 23 of the 50 seats were renewed, the strengthening of the more radical right is also evident. Cambio por Chile will increase from a single seat to seven, while the traditional right will gain five new seats, bringing its total to 18. Together, these forces will hold 25 seats—just one short of an absolute majority. The ruling coalition won 11 of the 23 seats in play and will hold a total of 20 in the next term, retaining the possibility of building majorities with smaller parties such as the Green, Regionalist, and Humanist parties. Unlike in the lower chamber, the Partido de la Gente did not secure representation in the Senate.
The landscape emerging from the elections is one of intense competition and political fragmentation. The next government will need to build agreements in a more polarized Congress with new actors capable of influencing the legislative agenda. With two strong candidacies, shifting alliances, and an electorate showing signs of discontent, the December 14 runoff will be decisive not only in determining the next president but also in shaping the country’s political direction for the next four years.