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Chile’s Ruling Coalition Chooses Communist Jeannette Jara as Presidential Candidate

Her 60% primary win propels her into a polarized November contest against right-wing contenders

Jeannette Jara, a member of Chile's communist party, won 60 percent of the vote
Voters sit next to a sign that reads, "Contributions equal abuse equals senior citizen theft," during the primary elections to select a candidate for president, in Santiago, Chile June 29, 2025. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza
Candidate Jeannette Jara, of the Communist party, embraces supporters before voting in primary elections held by the Unidos por Chile coalition to choose the ruling party's candidate for the upcoming presidential election, in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
People head to cast their ballots in the former Mapocho railway station during a primary held by the Unidos por Chile coalition to choose the ruling party's candidate for the upcoming presidential election, in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Overview

  • Jeannette Jara secured about 60.3% of the Unity for Chile vote, with former interior minister Carolina Toha taking roughly 27.9%.
  • This marks the first time a broad governing coalition in Chile has nominated a member of the Communist Party for president.
  • Right-wing figures Jose Antonio Kast and Evelyn Matthei will bypass primaries and face Jara directly in the November 16 election.
  • Voter turnout in the left-wing primary was under 10%, as just over 1.3 million of 15 million eligible Chileans cast ballots.
  • As labor minister, Jara advanced a 40-hour workweek reform, underscoring her policy credentials ahead of the first-round vote.