Chile runoff election underway with 15.7M voters choosing between progressive Jeannette Jara and ultraright José Antonio Kast for 2026-2030 presidency. Polls favor Kast at 58%; mandatory voting shapes tense Dec 14 battle.
Related: Chile’s Tense Runoff: Jara vs Kast Battles for Nation’s Soul on Dec 14
15.7M Voters Decide Chile Runoff Election: Jara’s Bold Stand vs Kast’s Ruthless Surge
The Chile runoff election kicked off Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 8:00 AM local time (11:00 GMT), drawing over 15.7 million citizens to choose President Gabriel Boric’s successor for 2026-2030. Polling stations close at 6:00 PM local (9:00 PM GMT), or later if queues persist.
Mandatory voting in Chile—voluntary abroad—ensures high turnout, urged by Servel President Pamela Figueroa: “Review your polling place and fulfill your civic duty.”
This Chile runoff election pits progressive Jeannette Jara (26.8% in first round) against ultraright José Antonio Kast (23.9%), with Cadem polls showing Kast at 58% vs Jara’s 42%.
Telesur English: Chile Runoff Election Begins
Key Facts in Chile Runoff Election Dynamics
15,779,102 eligible voters face compulsory participation, a shift boosting working-class voices. Foreign residents with 5+ years residency vote for the first time.
Jara, Communist Party leader from the ruling progressive coalition, seeks anti-Kast votes. Kast campaigns on xenophobic policies: maximum-security prisons, border shields, harsher penalties, and mass deportations echoing Trump.
Polls indicate a tight race, with undecideds pivotal.
EFE: Chile’s Mandatory Voting in Runoff
Candidates’ Final Push Amid Polarization
Jeannette Jara topped November 16 first round but needs broader appeal against Kast’s surge. Her platform emphasizes social rights continuity from Boric’s tenure.
José Antonio Kast, Republican Party candidate, leverages crime and migration fears. Pre-election surveys position him as frontrunner.
Electoral silence ended intense campaigns, heightening tension.
Al Jazeera: Polls Favor Kast in Chile Runoff
Geopolitical Context
The Chile runoff election reverberates across Latin America as a barometer for ideological battles. A Jara victory would energize progressives from Brazil’s Lula to Colombia’s Petro, strengthening CELAC and UNASUR against right-wing isolationism.
Kast’s win mirrors Argentina’s Milei and El Salvador’s Bukele, promoting neoliberal-authoritarianism that could fracture Mercosur trade with austerity clashes against welfare-focused neighbors. Andean tensions rise, encircling Bolivia’s socialists; migration strains Peru-Bolivia borders via deportation plans.
Regionally, Jara bolsters Amazon pacts; Kast aligns with U.S. free-trade, sidelining China deals. Globally, it sways U.S.-Latin America ties: progressives challenge IMF at OAS, while Kast eases Venezuela-Cuba sanctions coordination, risking pink tide backlash. Europe watches human rights—Jara appeals to EU, Kast draws Amnesty critiques.
This duel signals equity’s endurance or market fundamentalism’s resurgence.
Xinhua: Latin America Eyes Chile Vote
Sputnik: Geopolitical Stakes in Chile Election
Voter Turnout and Uncertain Outcome
Servel monitors smooth operations, with real-time updates via app. High stakes amplify scrutiny on irregularities.
The winner inherits Boric’s reforms amid economic pressures, shaping Chile’s path.
X (Twitter): Servel Chief Urges Voting
X (Twitter): Live Poll Updates Chile Runoff
Al Mayadeen: Chile Election Live Coverage
Cubadebate: Voter Mobilization in Chile
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.