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Chile’s Runoff Enters Final Stretch After Fiery Last Debate Between Jara and Kast Ahead of Dec. 14 Vote

With campaigning winding down, polls show José Antonio Kast ahead as his openness to reviewing dictatorship-era cases contrasts with Jeannette Jara’s pledge to sign no pardons.

Overview

  • The Anatel-televised faceoff featured sharp interruptions and stark contrasts on security, migration control and economic management just days before the second round.
  • Jara said she would resign from the Communist Party if elected to place the presidency above party interests, and Kast said he would step aside from his party as well.
  • Kast vowed not to regularize or register people who entered Chile illegally, saying they would be expelled and denied state benefits.
  • On human rights, Kast left room to review or reduce penalties in some Pinochet-era cases, while Jara rejected any indults and pressed him by naming convicted figure Miguel Krassnoff.
  • Jara closed her campaign with a rally in Santiago expressing confidence despite surveys putting Kast near 55–60%, as formal advertising ends and compulsory voting takes place on Dec. 14.