Description: Chile’s presidential runoff would see left wing Jeanette Jara and right – wing Jose Antonio Kast face – off on 14 Dec. Jara, the 51-year-old former labor minister and leader of the country’s center – left governing coalition won 26.8% of the vote while Kast, the right – wing conservative basing his presidential campaign on restoring the rule of law and combating the surge in organized crime and migration, won 24% of the vote. Chile is currently facing domestic crises on several fronts such as the overflow of migrants from Venezuela, who are running from their country’s economic crisis, upsurge in organized criminal activities related to the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, and a growing cost of living crisis that has entrapped the country’s economy and stalled development efforts on multiple fronts. Jara proposes tackling the cost-of-living crisis by setting the minimum monthly income at $800 which would be a combination of state subsidies and salaries as well as larger investments into the infrastructure and housing departments. Kast on the other hand proposes cutting corporate taxes, relaxing regulations, shrinking the public payroll and eliminating government ministries which would cut public spending. Kast currently has a slight advantage since the third and the fourth candidates that came up short in the runoff have thrown their support behind his conservative campaign.
Impact: Chile is on the precipice of political transformation as the left – wing ruling coalition is set to crumble under the radical pressure of the conservative and far – right candidate who is promising foundational reforms. Central to Kast’s campaign have been his promises of hampering the surge in organized crime and tackling the migration crisis with heavier border controls and even investing in infrastructural modifications which would prevent the influx of migrants. Jara’s political pledges are set to significantly deflate ahead of the runoff since the ruling left – wing coalitions is perceived to have mismanaged the country during their rule. The country is set to choose a conservative – led government which would further embolden the right – wing wave engulfing the south American continent. Under Kast, Chile would be subjected to radical changes which would eventually lead towards closed off borders, more aggressive and assertive approach towards combating organized crime and a government crackdown which could lead towards political turmoil in the long – term. In case Jara manages to garner the necessary support and becomes Chile’s new President gradual reforms in regard to the migration crisis are expected, however, she would also plead to aggressively tackle the organized crime and cost – of – living issues which have been continuously growing in the past couple of years.