The right-wing proposal, led by José Antonio Kast, garnered more than 70% of the support, while the official left did not surpass 30 points
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On an election day marked by high turnout and a climate of deep weariness toward Gabriel Boric's administration, Chile made a resounding shift to the right. 70.2% of the electorate leaned toward opposition candidates, while the left failed to surpass 30% of the votes, confirming the crisis of the ruling party and the consolidation of conservative leadership.
As polls had anticipated—though with a less narrow margin than expected—government candidate Jeannette Jara (26.58%) and Republican leader José Antonio Kast (24.32%) emerged as the top two majorities, advancing to the runoff that will decide the presidency on December 14.
La derecha chilena arrasó.
From now on, the central contest will focus on who will capture the votes of the vast right-wing electorate, which overwhelmingly dominates the scene. Kast has already secured a key endorsement: Johannes Kaiser (13.92%), a libertarian figure "to the right of the right," who announced without reservation that he will support his candidacy: "We recognize José Antonio Kast's victory and we're going to support his candidacy in the second round," he stated alongside his supporters.
This is compounded by the emergence of Franco Parisi, from the Partido de la Gente (PDG), who surprised with 18.84% thanks to his strong performance in the regions—especially in Valparaíso. Although he still avoids aligning with any sector, he made it clear that his votes will have to be earned: "I'm not giving anyone a blank check. I need gestures from them. PDG doesn't need any favors," the economist warned.
El balotaje se definirá entre Jeannette Jara y José Antonio Kast.
Evelyn Matthei, standard-bearer of Chile Vamos and a symbol of the traditional right, finished in a surprising fifth place with 13.25% despite having led polls for months. Matthei was the first to acknowledge her defeat and, in a decisive political gesture, immediately announced her support for Kast: "Others have been chosen to advance in the presidential race; I congratulate them," she stated before personally going to the Republican headquarters to offer her congratulations.
Alongside her, former president of Chilean soccer Harold Mayne-Nicholls (1.28%), leftist founder of the Grupo de Puebla and personal friend of Alberto Fernández, Marco Enríquez-Ominami (1.16%), and far-left Eduardo Artés, with just 0.66%, were left behind.
Jeannette Jara.
At 8:00 p.m., with 52% of polling stations counted, preliminary results already showed the irreversible trend. More than 14 million Chileans participated in the process, which unfolded normally except for some long lines and isolated disputes at voting centers in Santiago, where many poll workers were serving for the first time.
Jeannette Jara awaited the results in a downtown hotel and then went to the Alameda, where her campaign set up an impressive stage. There, she thanked her voters and launched veiled criticisms over the smear campaign she claims to have suffered: "A fraternal embrace to all who voted for me, and also to those who didn't. I want to greet Evelyn Matthei, who was the victim of a terrible campaign, of discrediting her; such gestures in politics can't be allowed," she declared, alluding to digital attacks by alleged "bots."
Kast, meanwhile, spoke from his headquarters in Las Condes, flanked by Matthei. He highlighted the importance of support from the entire opposition: "The call Evelyn has made to all Chileans to unite for a cause that is Chile is very relevant. It's not the cause of a candidate; it's Chile's cause," he emphasized.
Matthei reinforced her position and openly urged people to vote for Kast in defense of the country: "It's extremely important that this government doesn't remain in power. We have too many problems: security, economy, employment, an underfunded budget, absolutely uncontrolled migration. It's very important to make a strong change of course for the government," she asserted.
In a message to the country, President Gabriel Boric congratulated Jara and Kast on advancing to the runoff. He called for dialogue and asked people to vote "with conscience," although the numbers show a scenario widely favorable to Kast: "I trust that dialogue, respect, and affection for Chile will prevail over any differences," he expressed.
