Chilean voters are heading to the polls on Sunday, November 16, 2025, for a presidential election that could significantly shape the country’s political landscape.

Eight candidates are contesting the race, but none are expected to secure the majority needed to win outright, making a runoff on December 14 between the top two candidates highly likely.

The leading contenders are Jeannette Jara, representing the governing leftist coalition and the Communist Party, and José Antonio Kast, leader of the far-right Republican Party. Recent polling — conducted before the legally mandated 15-day blackout on surveys — showed Jara holding a narrow lead over Kast.

Other candidates include centre-right politician Evelyn Matthei and libertarian Johannes Kaiser, both of whom have attracted notable support in the race. Analysts suggest that voter fragmentation among multiple candidates may play a decisive role in determining which two advance to the runoff.

This election is taking place under mandatory voting laws, reinstated in 2023, which expand the electorate to over 15 million registered voters. The campaign has focused on issues including public security, economic stability, and migration policy.

If no candidate wins more than 50% in the first round, the runoff will decide Chile’s next president. Current trends indicate a competitive race, with both the left and right vying for control of the government amid growing public concern over social and economic challenges. (ILKHA)