Chile’s presidential frontrunners Jeannette Jara and José Antonio Kast ended their campaigns in Santiago on Tuesday, outlining sharply divergent visions for the country ahead of the November 16 election—one focused on social dignity and equality, the other on order and economic discipline.

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Far-right candidate José Antonio Kast, leader of the Republican Party, told thousands of supporters at a concert hall in the capital that “third time’s the charm,” vowing to win the presidency after two failed attempts. “Chile is not condemned to chaos or mediocrity—it is destined for greatness,” Kast declared. “We’re not just talking about winning an election; we’re talking about taking back our country.”

The 59-year-old former lawmaker and lawyer, who first ran in 2017 and lost the 2021 runoff to current President Gabriel Boric, said he was running again “not out of ambition or revenge, but out of responsibility.” He described Chile as facing “the worst crisis in decades—a crisis of security, economy, and above all, society—that affects thousands of people every day.”

Kast pledged to form what he called a “national emergency government,” focused on restoring public order and tightening fiscal policy. He promised a US$6 billion budget cut over 18 months, a tougher stance on crime and irregular migration, and a renewed emphasis on law enforcement. “We want a country where criminals are afraid and citizens walk safely,” he said.

During this campaign, Kast has avoided defending Chile’s former military dictatorship as he did in 2021, instead emphasizing security and economic management—issues that dominate voter concerns.

Across the city, Jeannette Jara, the unified candidate of the left and center-left, candidate for the Unity for Chile coalition, addressed a crowd of more than 15,000 in Maipú’s main square. “This election is not just about a candidacy—it’s about a vision of Chile’s future,” said Jara, who received a standing ovation from supporters chanting “Jara presidenta.”

Jara, 51, a former labor minister and the first member of Chile’s Communist Party to represent the entire left in a presidential contest, framed her platform around economic dignity and social rights. “We will make sure every Chilean family can reach the end of the month with peace of mind. That is my commitment—dignity, decent work, and fair wages,” she said.

She pledged to strengthen public safety by addressing financial crime. “We’re going to follow the trail of dirty money, and that’s why we will lift banking secrecy,” Jara stated. She also highlighted her vision of “growth with meaning and reason—one that respects the environment and benefits all Chilean families.”

While Jara leads in most polls, analysts suggest she is unlikely to secure an outright victory, making a December runoff probable. Her closest rivals include Kast, conservative Evelyn Matthei, and far-right libertarian Johannes Kaiser.

“Chile is not falling apart—it’s a great country with a great future ahead,” Jara told supporters, urging them to “talk and convince others with love and respect, even those who think differently.”

Chile’s November 16 election will also renew the entire Chamber of Deputies and half of the Senate. It marks the first presidential and legislative vote with mandatory participation since the country’s return to democracy.

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