Chile’s presidential elections are heading to a runoff after no candidate reached an absolute majority in Sunday’s contest. Left-wing candidate Jeannette Jara and far-right José Antonio Kast came in first and second and will face off on December 14.

Jara, the left-wing unity candidate backed by President Javier Boric, gathered almost 27% of the vote, with Kast raking in nearly 24%. Either of them will also require over 50% in December to win.

A long-time member of the Communist Party, Jara served as Boric’s labor minister until April and was the candidate of the progressive electorate, although she also had some center-leaning proposals. This is Kast’s third time running for president, after he lost to President Boric in 2021. He carried out a campaign focused on security and measures against illegal immigration. Leader of Chile’s Republican Party, Kast is also a known supporter of dictator Augusto Pinochet.

The race is set to be a confrontation of extremes, with Kast favored to become Chile’s next president. While Jara was the only progressive or left-leaning candidate, the three right-wing candidates got a combined 50.3% in Sunday’s election. Analysts expect........

© Buenos Aires Herald