Chile’s Presidential Election Highlights Shift in Nation’s Power Dynamics

A conservative and a communist candidate will face off in a December runoff vote amid economic challenges and a migration crisis.

(Left) Chile's presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast, of the Partido Republicano party, delivers a speech after the first exit poll results of the general election in Santiago on Nov. 16, 2025. (Right) Jeannette Jara, presidential candidate for the Communist Party of Chile, delivers a speech after the results of the first round of presidential elections in Chile in Santiago, Chile, on Nov. 16, 2025. Raul Bravo/AFP via Getty Images; Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images

Sunday’s inconclusive presidential election results have put Chile on the path to a December runoff vote to decide the nation’s future.

Left-wing labor minister Jeannette Jara and right-wing candidate José Antonio Kast secured the top two spots on Nov. 16. Chile’s national electoral service reported that 26.63 percent of the popular vote went to Jara, while Kast secured 24.25 percent. With neither leading candidate winning the absolute majority, a second round of voting is scheduled for Dec. 14.