Jeannette Jara Leads Chilean Presidential Race for First Time Amid Criticism Over Jobs; Kast Holds 10-Point Lead Over Matthei

Jeannette Jara has taken the lead in the Chilean presidential race for the first time, surpassing her right-wing opponents José Antonio Kast and Evelyn Matthei in the first round, according to multiple polls by Criteria and Data Influye. While Jara leads by a wide margin in the first round, the gap narrows in the runoff scenarios, with Jara tying with Kast and losing to Matthei in hypothetical second-round matchups. Kast has gained a 10-point advantage over Matthei in recent polling. The presidential campaign has intensified with Kast and Matthei criticizing Jara over labor figures, highlighting that only 141 jobs were created in the past year. In response, Jara’s campaign, led by Luis Eduardo Escobar, emphasizes policies focused on decent wages, 4% economic growth, investment, and boosting domestic demand as pathways to improve employment.