Overview
- With nearly all votes counted, Jeannette Jara leads with about 26.8% and José Antonio Kast follows with roughly 24%, sending both to a December 14 runoff.
- Pollsters and political analysts expect right-leaning voters to consolidate behind Kast, who has already drawn backing from fellow right candidate Johannes Kaiser, while Evelyn Matthei signaled support.
- Concurrent legislative results point to a rightward shift, with Kast’s coalition and traditional conservatives together on track for majorities in both chambers, potentially easing a Kast administration’s agenda.
- Security and migration dominated the campaign, with Kast pushing mass deportations, tougher borders and expanded police and military powers, while Jara proposed tighter gun laws, enhanced border surveillance and measures against organized crime.
- Populist Franco Parisi finished a surprising third at nearly 20% and has not endorsed either finalist; compulsory voting returned for the first time since 2012, contributing to high turnout expectations.