Jara and Kast Head to Chilean Presidential Runoff on Dec. 14

Overview

• Official Servel tallies show Jeannette Jara leading the first round with about 26.6% and José Antonio Kast second with about 24.2%, sending both to a runoff.
• Evelyn Matthei and Johannes Kaiser conceded and endorsed Kast, while Franco Parisi delivered a stronger‑than‑expected third‑place showing.
• Polling before the vote (AtlasIntel) indicated Jara led the first round but trailed Kast in a head‑to‑head scenario for the runoff.
• The first presidential contest under reinstated mandatory voting produced long lines and extended hours at some polling sites, according to local reports.
• Chile also elected a new lower house and part of the Senate, with early projections suggesting gains for right‑of‑center forces.