Chile’s Presidential Election Features Divided Candidates on Crime

Chile is set to hold a pivotal presidential election on Sunday, with a diverse array of candidates vying for the nation’s leadership amid rising crime and immigration concerns. The frontrunners include a seasoned member of the Communist Party, Jeannette Jara, and two ultraconservative politicians, José Antonio Kast and Johannes Kaiser. As frustration mounts over the policies of the current leftist President Gabriel Boric, many analysts predict voters may lean towards a shift in ideology, although the specifics of this potential change remain uncertain.

Candidates and Their Campaigns

The election features eight candidates, with Jara leading the polls. A 51-year-old former labor minister, she is the sole representative of the left-wing coalition. Despite her affiliation, Jara has distanced herself from the Boric administration, which has faced criticism for its handling of various issues, including security. She has hinted at possibly suspending her Communist Party membership if elected. Her campaign focuses on enhancing domestic production, protecting workers’ rights, and raising the minimum wage, while also addressing security concerns through increased law enforcement and technological advancements at the borders.

Kast, a far-right politician and founder of Chile’s Republican Party, is widely recognized for his hardline stance on immigration and crime. He has proposed closing Chile’s borders and deporting approximately 300,000 individuals who entered the country irregularly. His policies resonate with some voters who admire his direct approach, although his past, including familial connections to the Nazi Party, has been a point of contention. Kast has consistently denied any affiliation with those views, asserting that his father was conscripted into the German army.

Emerging as a significant contender is Kaiser, a YouTuber-turned-politician who has gained traction with his radical libertarian proposals. He calls for a free market economy, stringent austerity measures, and harsher penalties for criminals. In a recent interview with Agence France-Presse, Kaiser controversially suggested sending immigrants with criminal records to El Salvador’s infamous Terrorism Confinement Center. His campaign positions him further to the right than Kast, and he openly declared, “to my right is Genghis Khan,” illustrating his aggressive stance on governance.

Key Issues and Voter Sentiment

Insecurity has emerged as the foremost issue in this election, with crime victimization rates steadily increasing since 2021, according to the National Institute of Statistics. Luz Araceli González, a professor of International Relations at Tecnológico de Monterrey, emphasized that the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking is central to voter concerns. All candidates are promising tougher measures against crime, but it remains to be seen whose strategies will resonate most effectively with the electorate.

If no candidate secures more than half of the votes on Sunday, a runoff election will take place on December 14, 2024. Although Jara is projected to win the first round, she may face a formidable challenge in the runoff, potentially against a more unified right-wing opposition. Political analyst Guillermo Holzmann noted that there exists a segment of the electorate that does not align with either the left or right, but rather seeks pragmatic solutions, which seem to be emerging from the right.

Holzmann further argues that Kast’s chances have improved compared to previous elections, as dissatisfaction with the Boric administration’s handling of security and crime has created an environment conducive to more extreme right-wing ideologies. As Chile approaches this election, the sense of uncertainty persists, with indications pointing towards a significant ideological shift in the forthcoming government.

The outcome of this election could reshape Chile’s political landscape, reflecting a broader regional trend as voters express their frustrations and aspirations through their ballot choices.