Shift to the right possible in presidential election in Chile

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Shift to the right possible in presidential election in Chile

The South American country is facing a change of direction. Many voters are dissatisfied with the incumbent left-wing government. The topics of crime and migration dominated the election campaign.

In Chile, there have been signs of a change in political direction in the presidential election. The communist Jeannette Jara from the government camp was ahead of the right-wing politician José Antonio Kast, the conservative Evelyn Matthei and the ultra-right Johannes Kaiser in surveys. However, former Labor Minister Jara is likely to miss an absolute majority and thus victory in the first round of elections.

In the runoff election between the two strongest candidates in December in the South American country, everything points to the election victory of a candidate from the right-wing camp, as the voters of the losing right-wing candidates are likely to rally around him.

In addition to the future president, almost half of the senators and all 155 representatives will also be newly elected. This Sunday, around 15.8 million people are called to vote. Voting is compulsory in Chile. Polling stations close at 6 p.m. (10 p.m. CET). The first results are expected on Monday night.

While the incumbent left-wing President Gabriel Boric was elected four years ago to remedy the severe social disparities and improve education and healthcare, the focus has now shifted. The election campaign focused on the issues of security and migration. Although Chile remains one of the safest countries in the region, crime has recently increased in some areas.

President Boric is not allowed to run again after his four-year term in office for constitutional reasons. The future president will take office on March 11, 2026.