Latin America in Focus Will Chileans Pivot at the Polls?
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Oct 30, 2025 Paz Zárate, an international lawyer and columnist on Chilean politics, breaks down the November presidential contest. She examines compulsory voting and how a surge of migrant voters could reshape turnout. She unpacks the fragmented right, the prospects for unification, and why migration and security dominate platforms. She also flags the surprising absence of foreign policy debate.
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Uncertainty Replaces Policy Consensus
- Chileans feel uncertain about the election because the constitutional process failed and personalities now dominate politics.
- The crowded field of eight candidates makes outcomes unpredictable and reduces trust in polls.
Right-Wing Fragmentation Fuels Volatility
- The right's failure to hold a primary left four similar candidates splitting center-right votes and creating volatility.
- Voters are switching loyalties often based on debates and news, keeping the race unpredictable.
Poor Relations Undermine Post-First-Round Unity
- Personal and bitter relations between right and center-right candidates reduce chances of unified support in a runoff.
- Some candidates may withhold endorsements, leaving votes up to individual choice rather than party direction.