Chile is heading towards a presidential runoff election after a closely contested first round on Sunday. The vote pits leftist candidate, Janet Jara, against right-wing contender, Jose Antonio Kast.
Janet Jara, 51, representing the ruling center-left coalition, secured approximately 26.8% of the valid votes, with nearly all ballots counted. However, she fell short of the 50% threshold needed to win outright in the first round.
Jose Antonio Kast, 59, a former congressman and staunch conservative, garnered roughly 24% of the vote. He has called on the country’s fractured right wing to unite behind him, describing the runoff as an “existential struggle” for Chile’s future.
“These will be the most important elections of our generation, a true referendum between two models of society… the current model that has led Chile to destruction, stagnation, violence, and hatred, and our model that promotes freedom, hope, and progress,” Kast told his supporters after qualifying for the second round.
In response, Jara addressed her supporters in downtown Santiago, the capital, stating, “This is a great country. Do not let fear freeze your hearts.”
The race now proceeds to a second round scheduled for December 14th. The outcome will significantly shape the nation’s political and economic trajectory.
