Chileans to vote for new president amid fears of crime, migration

(MENAFN) According to reports, Chileans went to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president, with public concern over rising crime and migration shaping the campaign.

The election is increasingly seen as a confrontation between the far-left and far-right, with a December runoff expected. Although eight candidates are officially running, the contest has largely narrowed to a face-off between the ruling coalition’s nominee and a staunchly conservative challenger.

Recent polls by Radar Electoral indicate that the likely runoff on Dec. 14 will feature Jeannette Jara, 51, a former minister in President Gabriel Boric’s administration and a member of the Communist Party, who currently leads with about 28% support. Far-right contender Jose Antonio Kast, founder of the Republican Party and 2021 runoff runner-up, trails with roughly 20%.

The traditional right remains fragmented. Johannes Kaiser of the National Libertarian Party has surged unexpectedly to 15%, narrowly ahead of veteran center-right politician Evelyn Matthei of the Chile Vamos Party, who polls at 14%, both competing for a chance to reach the second round.

Despite Chile’s status as one of Latin America’s safer nations, perceptions of insecurity have dominated the election discourse. An October survey by Ipsos found that 63% of adults cite crime and violence as their top concern. While the country’s homicide rate remains low by global standards at six per 100,000 people, the recent increase has weighed heavily on public sentiment.

Migration has also been a central campaign issue. The country’s migrant population, largely Venezuelan, has doubled over the past seven years, now representing 8.8% of Chile’s 20 million residents. Right-wing candidates have linked undocumented immigration to the rise in criminal activity, making it a key focus of their platforms.

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