Chile stands on the verge of a profound political transformation as nearly 15.6 million registered voters cast their ballots on December 14, 2025, in a high-stakes presidential runoff that could signal the country’s sharpest rightward turn since the end of its military dictatorship in 1990. The runoff pits José Antonio Kast, a far-right former lawmaker and founder of the Republican Party, against Jeannette Jara, the Communist Party candidate representing the incumbent leftist government’s coalition. The outcome, expected to be announced soon after polls close at 6 p.m. local time, is set to reshape not just Chile’s political landscape but also its social contract and economic future.
At the heart of this election lies a deep public anxiety over crime and security. According to the Associated Press, both candidates have centered their campaigns on addressing a recent surge in organized crime and illegal immigration—issues that have rattled Chile’s traditionally stable society and become the defining concern among voters. Kast, who has run for president twice before, is now leading in the polls, with even some detractors conceding that he is almost certain to become Chile’s next leader.
“This government caused chaos, this government caused disorder, this government caused insecurity,” Kast declared at a campaign event in Temuco, a city shaken by conflict between Indigenous Mapuche groups and the state. “We’re going to do the opposite. We’re going to create order, security and trust.” His message appears to have struck a chord with many Chileans weary of crime and seeking a return to stability, even if it means embracing policies once considered too extreme.
Kast’s platform is bold and, to some, alarming. He has pledged to slash $6 billion in public spending over 18 months while promising not to eliminate social benefits. He also proposes the mass deportation of over 300,000 immigrants in Chile without legal status and wants to expand the powers of the army to fight organized crime. These hardline promises have drawn support from former right-wing voters and those deeply concerned about security, but they have also raised fears about the direction of Chilean democracy and the potential for human rights abuses.
Yet, Kast’s ability to deliver on his most radical proposals remains uncertain. His Republican Party lacks a majority in Congress, which means he will need to negotiate with moderate right-wing forces—many of whom may balk at his grandest ambitions. As AP notes, “Political compromises could temper Kast’s radicalism, but also jeopardize his position with voters who expect him to deliver quickly on his law-and-order campaign promises.”
Jara, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle. Despite winning the first round of the election in November with 26.85% of the vote, she now trails Kast, who finished second with 23.92% but is projected to gain the support of most voters who previously backed other right-wing candidates. Jara, the former labor minister under President Gabriel Boric, has tried to balance her party’s progressive agenda with promises to toughen border security, tackle money laundering, and step up police raids. “Both are too extreme for me,” said Juan Carlos Pileo, a 44-year-old voter, to the AP. “I can’t trust someone who says she’s a communist to be moderate. And I can’t trust someone who exaggerates the amount of crime we have in this country and blames immigrants to be fair and respectful.”
Chile’s current president, Gabriel Boric, came to power in 2021 on a wave of progressive optimism, following widespread protests against inequality and a promise to draft a new constitution. But his administration has struggled to contain rising crime, with the homicide rate hitting a record high in 2022. Boric responded by boosting funding for police, creating new task forces to fight organized crime, and even deploying the military to reinforce Chile’s northern border. Despite these efforts, public perceptions of insecurity have persisted, and Boric’s approval rating has dropped to just 30% according to AP.
Jara’s campaign, once defined by popular welfare measures, has been forced to pivot. She now emphasizes law and order, but as sociologist Lucía Dammert told the AP, “It has been very difficult for the Jara campaign to move [Kast] away from those issues.” Kast’s single-minded focus on security, combined with his avoidance of topics that previously alienated voters—such as his father’s Nazi past, his nostalgia for Pinochet’s dictatorship, and opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion—has broadened his appeal among those who once rejected him for his social conservatism.
The election has also introduced new dynamics. For the first time, voting is mandatory, with automatic registration for all citizens over 18 and fines for non-voters. This change has brought a wave of undecided and centrist voters into play, adding unpredictability to the final outcome. As Australian Associated Press reports, “This is the first presidential election under a mandatory voting provision… and fines levied on anyone who doesn’t vote.”
Many Chileans remain deeply divided. Some, like banker Jorge Rubio, are counting down the days until Kast’s inauguration, scheduled for March 11, 2026. “That’s why we’re voting for Kast,” he told the AP. Others, particularly immigrants and those wary of far-right policies, express concern. Natacha Feliz, a 27-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, reflected on Kast’s recent statement that immigrant parents without legal status who didn’t self-deport would be obliged to hand their kids over to the state. “It’s not very nice to hear that he’s going to separate immigrant children from their parents, it’s sad, that’s going to be a problem for me,” she said to the AP. “But this is happening everywhere, not just in Chile. Let’s just hope that our security situation improves.”
Economic implications are also at stake. Investors are watching closely, with the Chilean peso and local stock market surging after Kast’s strong showing in the first round. Many see a Kast victory as a green light for market-friendly reforms, including deregulation and changes to the country’s pension system and capital markets. However, without a clear majority in Congress, significant reforms may be slow to materialize.
As Chile awaits the final results, the country finds itself at a crossroads. The election’s outcome will not only determine the next president but also chart the course for a nation grappling with questions of security, social welfare, and the legacy of its democratic transition. No matter who claims victory, the vote marks a pivotal moment—one that will echo far beyond the ballot box.
