Kaiser's support represents a significant boost for Kast, who ended up practically tied with the progressive candidate Jeannette Jara, who had a forgettable election with only 26.5% of the votes obtained.
The leader of Chile's Republican Party will face off against the Communist Jara in a key runoff election for the trans-Andean country
Kaiser's support represents a significant boost for Kast, who ended up practically tied with the progressive candidate Jeannette Jara, who had a forgettable election with only 26.5% of the votes obtained.
The Chilean political landscape took a decisive turn after the first round of the presidential election, marked by the collapse of centrist parties and the astronomical rise of right-wing party candidates.
Evelyn Matthei, the candidate representing the Chile Vamos coalition, acknowledged her defeat this Sunday after finishing in fifth place with 13.2% of the votes counted at 52%. Despite the results, Matthei decided to personally congratulate José Antonio Kast, who advanced to the runoff, offering tacit support for the second round.
"We're going to Kast's headquarters to congratulate him as is appropriate," Matthei stated, without further details regarding her sector's support for the right-wing leader's candidacy.
Johannes Kaiser, leader of the recently established National Libertarian Party (PNL), obtained 13.9% and placed fourth, narrowly surpassing Matthei. In a press conference after the results were announced, he unhesitatingly announced his party's support for Kast for the December 14 runoff.
"We recognize, with the dignity that is appropriate, José Antonio Kast's victory. As a party that keeps its word, we're going to support him in the second round," he stated. The leader emphasized that, despite not reaching the most optimistic polling projections, the PNL's parliamentary breakthrough constitutes "one of the best results achieved by a new force in the history of our Republic."
The Republican leader assured that his runoff campaign will focus on "defending Chile from the threat of communism," a phrase that has been central to his communication strategy and that he now reiterates to confront the platform of the officialist option. His rhetoric was quickly amplified by PNL supporters, who seek to establish themselves as a relevant actor in the hardest right wing.
The surprise of the day was Franco Parisi, who from abroad managed to secure third place and confirmed the displacement of the traditional political axis. His growth could provide even more support for Kast in the second round.
The elections were held in an atmosphere of strong public fatigue, after multiple electoral processes initiated since the 2019 social unrest, and amid discontent with the administration of communist president Gabriel Boric, whose approval hovers around 30%. Since 2006, no president has managed to hand over the presidential sash to a successor from the same sector, a pattern that increases uncertainty heading into December.
Kast enters the final stretch, strengthened by the explicit support of the hardest right and the center. The contest with Jara is projected to be highly polarized, with two visions of the country in open confrontation and a citizenry increasingly weary of leftist delusions.
