Chile is poised for a pivotal presidential election on Sunday, where voters will choose from a diverse slate of candidates amid rising crime and immigration concerns. This election features three prominent frontrunners: José Antonio Kast, an ultraconservative; Johannes Kaiser, a radical libertarian; and Jeannette Jara, a member of the Communist Party. With public dissatisfaction directed at the policies of current President Gabriel Boric, analysts suggest a potential shift in the country’s political landscape.
Candidate Overview
The ballot includes eight candidates, but the spotlight remains on Jara, Kast, and Kaiser. At 51 years old, Jara leads the polls despite her affiliation with the Communist Party and her past role as labor minister under Boric. Although she represents the left-wing coalition, her connection to the unpopular administration has prompted her to distance herself from the party. In an effort to appeal to a broader electorate, she has suggested she might suspend her Communist Party membership if elected. Jara’s campaign centers on enhancing domestic production, protecting workers’ rights, and increasing the minimum wage. She has also acknowledged the urgent need for improved security measures, advocating for more prisons, increased law enforcement personnel, and advanced border security technology.
Kast, a far-right politician often likened to former U.S. President Donald Trump, stands as Jara’s main competitor. He has pledged to “make Chile great again,” proposing stringent immigration policies, including the removal of approximately 300,000 undocumented immigrants. Notably, Kast has consistently opposed abortion rights and same-sex marriage. Despite controversies surrounding his father’s past affiliations with the Nazi party, Kast has characterized his father as a forced conscript rather than a party supporter. He founded Chile’s Republican Party in 2019 and has been instrumental in elevating extreme right ideologies within national discourse.
Emerging in the campaign’s final weeks, Kaiser has gained attention for his radical proposals. The former YouTuber advocates for a free market economy, austerity measures, and harsher penalties for criminals. In a recent interview with Agence France-Presse, he suggested deporting immigrants with criminal records to El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center. Frustrated with the existing Republican Party, Kaiser initiated a new right-wing party in 2024, further positioning himself as a more extreme alternative to Kast.
The Stakes of the Election
Security concerns dominate the election discourse, with the National Institute of Statistics reporting a steady rise in crime victims since 2021. Luz Araceli González, a professor of International Relations at Tecnológico de Monterrey, emphasized the centrality of security issues in Chilean politics, noting society’s anxiety over organized crime and drug trafficking.
All candidates have vowed to adopt tougher stances on crime, but the effectiveness of their proposals remains uncertain. Chilean law stipulates that if no candidate secures over half of the votes on Sunday, a runoff will occur on December 14, 2023. Jara is currently favored to win the initial round, but should she advance, she may face a formidable challenge from a consolidated right-wing opposition.
Political analyst Guillermo Holzmann highlighted a growing electorate that seeks practical solutions outside the traditional left-right divide. This shift could favor Kast and Kaiser, who represent the more extreme right. Holzmann noted that the increasing sense of insecurity and the Boric administration’s inability to address it may enhance Kast’s prospects compared to previous elections.
As Chile approaches this crucial vote, the evolving political landscape reflects deep societal divisions and a desire for change among the electorate. The outcome of this election could significantly shape the nation’s future direction, especially in addressing pressing issues related to crime and immigration.
