General elections will be held in Chile on 16 November 2025. Voters will elect the President of Chile, renew all seats in the Chamber of Deputies, and fill half of the seats in the Senate. Incumbent President Gabriel Boric, elected in 2021, is constitutionally barred from seeking a consecutive second term. The election comes amid shifting political dynamics, including declining approval ratings for Boric's progressive agenda and growing momentum for right-wing opposition parties.
The 2021 presidential election saw left-wing candidate Gabriel Boric, a former student protest leader during the 2011–2013 student protests, defeat conservative rival José Antonio Kast in a runoff. Boric's victory was attributed to widespread youth mobilization, dissatisfaction with the center-right administration of Sebastián Piñera, and economic strains following the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] His platform emphasized social equity, feminist reforms, and a "dignified life" for marginalized groups, pledging to dismantle Chile's "patriarchal inheritance."[2][3]
Upon taking office in March 2022, Boric appointed Chile's first gender-balanced cabinet, with women holding 14 of the 24 ministerial positions.[4] His administration pursued several key policy initiatives, including pension reforms aimed at replacing the privatized system established under Augusto Pinochet[5] and a proposal to nationalize the lithium mining industry.[6] Boric also sought to implement stricter gun control measures[7] and expand LGBT rights, including protections for gender identity.[8] Additionally, his government introduced progressive tax reforms focused on wealth redistribution[9] and worked to secure approval for a new Constitution.[10]
Declining popularity and opposition resurgence
By mid-2023, Boric's approval ratings had plummeted to 28%, with 66% disapproving of his administration, according to polls.[11] Analysts cited economic stagnation, legislative gridlock, and public safety concerns as primary factors. The right-wing Republican Party, led by Kast, capitalized on this discontent, securing a dominant victory in the May 2023 Constitutional Council elections. Kast declared the results a mandate for "a major change in government," positioning himself as a frontrunner for 2025.[12] Meanwhile, Evelyn Matthei of the Independent Democratic Union (UDI) has also gained traction in opinion polls.[13]
Electoral system
This will be the first presidential and congressional election since a constitutional amendment was passed and promulgated on 27 December 2022, restoring compulsory voting for all elections and plebiscites for the first time since 2012, except in primary elections.[14] Eligible citizens who do not vote will face a fine of approximately 33,000 Chilean pesos.[15]
President
The President of Chile is elected via a two-round system; a candidate must secure over 50% of the vote to win outright in the first round. If no candidate achieves this, the top two contenders advance to a runoff. The winner of the Presidency will be inaugurated on 11 March 2026.
Senate: The 50 senators serve staggered eight-year terms. Half the chamber (25 seats) is renewed each general election, elected from 16 regional constituencies (2–5 seats each) under similar proportional rules.[16]
Presidential candidates
Seven of the following eight candidates were registered with the Electoral Service (Servel)[17] and were accepted on August 29, 2025.[18][19] Jeannette Jara, as a primary winner, was automatically registered as a candidate on July 14, 2025.[20]
Eduardo Artés, presidential candidate for the Communist Party (Proletarian Action), confirmed in December 2024 that he would make a third bid for the presidency, stating that his campaign seeks to reform Chile and end what he calls the country's "political duopoly."[22] Because his party is not legally registered nationwide, he was required to gather over 35,000 signatures to qualify as an independent. Shortly before the registration deadline in August 2025, his campaign announced it had met this requirement,[23] and he officially registered with Servel on 19 August 2025.[24]
Marco Enríquez-Ominami, former deputy, confirmed on 3 August 2025 that he had collected 36,200 signatures—exceeding the 35,361 required[26]—to run for president for a fifth time.[27] In February, he had said he would consider another campaign, calling himself "a political animal" still "in the fight."[28] He officially registered his candidacy with Servel on 18 August 2025 with over 37,000 independent sponsorships, declaring that he personally financed his nationwide tour and online campaign to gather the signatures.[25]
Jeannette Jara, former minister, won the Unity for Chile center-left coalition's presidential primary with 60% of the vote in nationwide elections held on June 29, 2025.[29] Her candidacy was automatically registered with Servel when the Election Certification Tribunal declared her the winner on July 14, 2025.[20] The Christian Democrats (DC), who were not part of the primary coalition, decided on 26 July to join the alliance, run on a unified parliamentary list, and support Jara's presidential bid.[30] In addition to the DC, several non-official left-wing parties declared their support for Jara. On 3 August, the People's Party (PP) announced its backing for her candidacy during its National Council, also committing to present a parliamentary list aligned with Jara's campaign.[31] Similarly, the Equality Party (PI) declared on 4 August that it would support Jara while maintaining its independent stance from the official coalition.[32] The Solidarity for Chile Party (PSOL) also endorsed Jara on 7 August, emphasizing the need to oppose the far-right candidacy of José Antonio Kast and advance social and political transformations in Chile.[33] However, two parties that participated in the primary—Social Green Regionalist Federation (FRVS) and Humanist Action (AH)—withdrew from the coalition on 16 August to register an independent parliamentary list named Verdes, Regionalistas y Humanistas, led by former Valparaíso mayor Jorge Sharp. While reiterating their support for Jara's presidential candidacy, FRVS and AH leaders stated that the move was intended to highlight their regionalist, environmental, and humanist agendas and to compete on equal terms in the legislative elections.[34]
Johannes Kaiser, deputy, was proclaimed as the presidential candidate for the National Libertarian Party (PNL) on 12 July 2025 during a ceremony at Espacio Riesco attended by around three thousand people, which included a controversial rendition of the Chilean National Anthem's third stanza.[35] Kaiser officially registered his candidacy with Servel on 14 August 2025, presenting his government program and emphasizing that he has a "solid base to start the campaign" despite pressure to withdraw and unfavorable polling results.[36]
José Antonio Kast, former deputy and founder of the Republican Party, was proclaimed as the party's presidential candidate on 9 January 2025, running directly in the November election without participating in any opposition primaries.[37] He received additional backing from the Christian Social Party on 19 July 2025.[38] Kast officially registered his candidacy with Servel on 18 August 2025, marking his third bid for the presidency. During his registration, he criticized what he described as a campaign of lies and defamation against him, emphasized the need for economic growth to improve pensions, and highlighted his proposals for public security, social order, and the welfare of animals.[39]
Evelyn Matthei, former senator and minister, was endorsed as a presidential candidate by National Renewal on 11 January 2025,[40] the UDI on 18 January,[41] and Evópoli on 22 March,[42] making her the nominee of the entire Chile Vamos coalition. Amarillos por Chile declared its support on 6 June.[43] Matthei formally registered her candidacy with Servel on 16 August 2025, at which time Chile Vamos and Democrats presented their joint parliamentary pact, Great and United Chile.[46] Before her official registration, Matthei held the status of pre-candidate—a term in Chile for those who announce their intention to run for office ahead of the formal registration period. This designation permits limited campaigning under Servel supervision, including the ability to receive donations and incur electoral expenses within regulated limits.[44][47]
Harold Mayne-Nicholls, journalist and former president of the ANFP, confirmed on 16 August 2025 that he had collected the 35,361 signatures required to run for president.[49] He officially registered his independent candidacy with Servel on 18 August 2025, presenting members of his team and emphasizing his campaign's focus on security, education, health, and housing.[48] Mayne-Nicholls has framed his candidacy around dialogue, moderation, and his experience managing major projects such as the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.[50]
Franco Parisi, presidential candidate for the Party of the People (PDG), was officially proclaimed by his party on 6 May 2025 at the Santiago Congress headquarters, marking the start of his third presidential bid. He criticized both left- and right-wing parties for prioritizing their own interests over the middle class and expressed his goal of reaching a second-round runoff while winning parliamentary seats for his party.[51] Parisi officially registered his candidacy with Servel on 18 August 2025, asserting that "the polls are lying" and highlighting the influence of his parliamentary candidates, including deputy Pamela Jiles.[52]
Félix González (Green Ecologist Party), deputy for District 20 in the Biobío Region, announced his presidential bid on 6 January 2025, saying, "we have decided to collect the signatures to register an ecologist candidacy, because environmental issues are absent from the public agenda." He emphasized urgent social and climate security, adding, "we have the obligation to raise pensions… and face fires, floods, and droughts."[55] González ultimately did not register and will not appear on the November 2025 ballot.[17]
Vlado Mirosevic (Liberal Party, PL), deputy for District 1 in the Arica and Parinacota Region, was proclaimed his party's presidential candidate on 12 October 2024 and planned to run in the center-left primaries. But with the Liberal Party lacking national status, it needed 35,361 signatures to validate his candidacy; by 31 March, it had only 9,851 members. Mirosevic withdrew on 16 April 2025 and endorsed Carolina Tohá.[56] He denied the signature shortfall was the reason, arguing that multiple candidates from the PS, PPD, and PL risked handing victory to the Communist Party, and called Tohá the most competitive option.[57]
Francesca Muñoz (Christian Social Party, PSC), deputy for District 20 in the Biobío Region, was proclaimed her party's presidential candidate on 29 April 2025, following the resignation of Senator Rojo Edwards and amid a new alliance with the Republican and National Libertarian parties.[58] But on 30 June, she ended her bid and endorsed José Antonio Kast, calling the moment one that "demands brave, generous, and responsible decisions," and urging her supporters to back his candidacy.[59]
Ximena Rincón (Demócratas), senator for the Maule Region, was proclaimed as the party's presidential candidate on 15 March 2025.[60] The party indicated it would explore the possibility of joining a primary with other political forces, emphasizing a centrist path "far from the extremes" and aiming for broader parliamentary representation. Rincón framed her prospective campaign around dialogue and moderation, asserting that Chile could "once again be admired and respected around the world."[60] However, she ultimately did not register her candidacy with Servel and therefore will not appear on the ballot for the November 2025 election.[17]
Marcelo Trivelli (independent, ex-DC), former intendant of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, ended his presidential bid on 31 July 2025 after failing to gather the 36,000 signatures required to run as an independent. He acknowledged the lack of both citizen support and backing from the Christian Democratic Party, which instead endorsed Jeannette Jara. Trivelli criticized the DC for "abandoning its historic convictions" and stated he would continue working on initiatives promoting social cohesion.[61]
Alberto Undurraga (Christian Democratic Party, DC), deputy for District 8 and party president, formally withdrew his presidential candidacy on 10 May 2025 during a National Council meeting, following mounting internal criticism and isolation from broader center-left alliances.[62] Though previously proclaimed by the party to run in primaries, the DC's Supreme Tribunal annulled the mandate after no pact was reached and the primary deadline passed.[63] Amid growing dissent and key figures like Ignacio Walker and Genaro Arriagada endorsing Carolina Tohá, Undurraga acknowledged that internal conditions were not conducive to a viable candidacy. He cited the need to avoid damaging the party and pledged to focus on parliamentary negotiations and promoting the DC's programmatic agenda.[62]
Paulina Vodanovic (Socialist Party, PS), senator for the Maule Region and PS president, withdrew her presidential candidacy on 28 April 2025, just two weeks after being unanimously proclaimed by the party's central committee.[64] She cited the lack of support from other parties and the need to back a unified candidacy within the center-left, which consolidated around Carolina Tohá. Vodanovic stated that continuing her campaign would have required political conditions that did not materialize and emphasized the importance of unity against the right.[65]
Declined to be candidates
Michelle Bachelet (Socialist Party), former president of Chile (2006–2010, 2014–2018), announced on 5 March 2025 that she would not run for a third term, stating that "good politics demands renewal." Her decision ended months of speculation within the ruling coalition. In a statement from her foundation Horizonte Ciudadano, she said others in her sector were "valuable and capable," and pledged to support whoever is ultimately chosen to represent the center-left in the November election.[66]
Rojo Edwards (Christian Social Party, PSC), senator for Santiago, was briefly considered a potential presidential candidate by the PSC. In an initial internal vote, he was selected without unanimous support from the party's parliamentary members. However, at a second meeting, Edwards rejected the political guidelines set by the PSC for its presidential nominee. On 23 April 2025, the party's national leadership revoked his candidacy, citing the need for a candidate aligned with its political project.[69] On 28 April 2025, he resigned from the party.[70]
Daniel Jadue (Communist Party), former mayor of Recoleta, declined to pursue a presidential bid after his party proclaimed Labor Minister Jeannette Jara as its candidate on 5 April 2025. Jadue, under house arrest in connection with the "People's Pharmacies" case, had previously expressed interest in returning to the race. Communist Party president Lautaro Carmona announced that Jadue would instead run for deputy in the 9th district, replacing Karol Cariola, who is seeking a Senate seat in Valparaíso.[71]
Claudio Orrego (independent, ex-DC), re-elected governor of the Santiago Metropolitan Region on 24 November 2024, declined to pursue a presidential candidacy despite speculation following his electoral victory. In a press conference after meeting President Gabriel Boric at La Moneda, Orrego ruled out a presidential run, stating, "My only plan is to be governor for the next four years," and said, "We'll have to look for other leaderships."[72]
The Unity for Chile center-left coalition chose its presidential candidate in publicly funded nationwide primaries held on 29 June 2025. Former minister Jeannette Jara won with 60% of the vote.[29]
On 5 April 2025, the Communist Party — Jara's own party — proclaimed her as its presidential candidate.[80] The Humanist Action party followed on 14 April, also endorsing her candidacy.[81] On July 26, the Christian Democrats (DC) announced their support for Jara and agreed to join the coalition's unified parliamentary list.[30]
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