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Chile Awaits Official Runoff Results as Kast Is Poised for Victory

Observers say the margin will determine leverage in a fragmented Congress.

Overview

  • Polling stations closed on December 14 and polls plus early media projections indicated a clear lead for José Antonio Kast, with the official count and precise margin still pending.
  • Roughly 15.7 million eligible citizens were required to vote under mandatory rules, with analysts tracking turnout patterns and a possible rise in blank or null ballots.
  • Franco Parisi’s nearly 20% first‑round electorate was treated as a wildcard after his party’s consultation leaned strongly toward blank or null votes.
  • Security, crime and irregular migration dominated the campaign agenda, boosting Kast’s law‑and‑order message as Jeannette Jara struggled to expand beyond her first‑round base.
  • Jara filed a complaint to Servel alleging a blackout‑period breach linked to Lipigas messages, while authorities reported a normal voting day and the next administration is set to take office on March 11 under tight congressional constraints.