Chile’s Presidential Election Features Communist and Far-Right Candidates

Chile’s presidential election on November 5, 2024, presents a diverse array of candidates, including a prominent member of the Communist Party and two ultraconservative figures. As the nation confronts rising crime rates and increasing immigration, many analysts predict that voters may lean toward a significant shift in leadership. The extent of this potential change remains uncertain.

Who Are the Main Candidates?

Among the eight candidates on the ballot, the three leading contenders are Jeannette Jara, José Antonio Kast, and Johannes Kaiser. Jara, a former labor minister under leftist President Gabriel Boric, is currently leading in the polls. At 51, she has distanced herself from Boric’s unpopular administration, even suggesting she might suspend her Communist Party membership if she wins the presidency. Her campaign focuses on enhancing domestic production, safeguarding workers’ rights, and increasing the minimum wage. Addressing security concerns, Jara advocates for building more prisons, increasing the police force, and employing advanced technology to secure borders.

Kast, a far-right politician, has been compared to Donald Trump due to his hardline policies, which include closing borders and deporting around 300,000 individuals who entered Chile irregularly. He has consistently opposed abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and immigration. In a previous campaign, he controversially proposed constructing trenches along parts of the northern border to deter irregular migration. Despite past controversies regarding his father’s alleged membership in the Nazi Party, Kast has denied these claims, insisting his father was conscripted into the German army.

Kaiser, a former YouTuber and self-identified libertarian, has emerged as a more radical candidate in recent weeks. His proposals include implementing a free market economy, introducing austerity measures, and enforcing stricter penalties for criminal activities. In a recent interview, he suggested transferring immigrants with criminal records to El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center.

Key Issues at Stake

Insecurity is a pressing concern for many Chileans, as crime victimization rates have steadily increased since 2021, according to the Chilean National Institute of Statistics. Luz Araceli González, a professor of International Relations at Tecnológico de Monterrey, emphasized that security is a central issue in the upcoming elections. She noted the public’s growing anxiety regarding organized crime and drug trafficking, with society feeling increasingly vulnerable due to high levels of violence.

All candidates have pledged to adopt tougher stances on crime, but the effectiveness of their proposals in resonating with voters remains to be seen. If no candidate secures more than half of the votes on Sunday, a runoff election will be held on December 14, 2024, between the two frontrunners. While Jara is currently favored to win the first round, analysts expect a tougher competition in a runoff scenario, particularly against a more unified right.

Political analyst Guillermo Holzmann noted a shift in voter sentiment, suggesting that many Chileans are seeking solutions outside the traditional left-right divide. This change has led to a validation of the far-right’s positions, which are now viewed as both reasonable and electable. Holzmann also highlighted that Kast’s chances of success may be bolstered by unresolved issues under the Boric administration, particularly regarding public safety and organized crime.

As Chile approaches this critical election, the outcome could signal a significant ideological shift in the country’s governance, reflecting the electorate’s desire for change amidst ongoing challenges.