Chile - November 2025
General elections are held, Chile heads to presidential run-off
Chile held general elections on 16 November, the first under mandatory voting and automatic registration. Jeannette Jara, representing the Unity for Chile coalition, led the presidential race with 26.8 per cent of the vote, followed by José Antonio Kast of the Republican Party with 23.9 per cent. Both candidates will now advance to a runoff scheduled for 14 December. Voter turnout reached a record 85.3 per cent, driven by the introduction of compulsory voting. This marks a significant increase from the 47.3 per cent turnout in the last presidential election (November 2021) when voting was not mandatory.
In parliamentary elections, the Republican Party gained significant ground, securing 31 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, though the broader right-wing bloc did not achieve a majority. Women’s representation in the Senate increased from 13 to 15 seats, while in the Chamber of Deputies, it decreased from 55 to 52 seats. Key campaign issues included public security, migration and economic reforms, highlighting a polarized political environment. Electoral observation missions’ preliminary reports highlighted the high voter turnout and adherence to democratic standards, with final assessments expected in the coming weeks.
Sources: Servicio Electoral de Chile, International IDEA, El País, IPU, Americas Quarterly, Parlasur, Decide Chile
