Chile Communist Jeannette Jara Wins Left Presidential Primary

Jeannette Jara, Chile’s former labor minister and a member of the Communist Party, won the presidential primary for the ruling left-wing Unity for Chile coalition with over 60% of the vote, positioning her to face right-wing candidates José Antonio Kast and Evelyn Matthei in the November general election. Jara's victory marks the first time a broad political coalition in Chile has nominated a Communist Party member as its presidential candidate, and she is supported by all parties within the coalition, uniting left and progressive forces. She has gained recognition for leading key reforms under President Gabriel Boric, including reducing the workweek to 40 hours and raising the minimum wage, and she advocates for unity to counter the rising influence of the far right. The current president, Boric, who cannot run for re-election due to constitutional limits, congratulated Jara and called for continued progress despite challenges. The right-wing candidates have opted out of primaries and currently lead polls, capitalizing on public concerns over crime, immigration, and stalled reforms, making the November election a critical test for Chile’s progressive agenda. With low voter turnout in the primary and a runoff election scheduled if no candidate wins a majority, Jara’s campaign emphasizes building a broad front to face Chile’s political shift toward conservatism.