In Chile, the right wins the majority in Congress

The right-wing forces in Chile have won an absolute majority in the Chamber of Deputies in the November 16, 2025 elections, securing 76 of the 155 available seats, which equates to 51% of the legislative chamber. This unprecedented result since the return to democracy in 1990 represents a resounding rejection of the left-wing policies that have characterized Gabriel Boric’s government—policies marked by rising insecurity, organized crime, and irregular migration, issues that have eroded public trust in the ruling coalition.

Meanwhile, the “Unidad por Chile” coalition, which brings together the Communist, Socialist, and Broad Front parties, managed just 61 deputies (40%), as the conservative advance redefines the country's political landscape. This opens the door to reforms on security, the economy, and public order that prioritize stability over failed ideological experiments.

The “Cambio por Chile” pact, led by José Antonio Kast’s Republican Party along with the libertarians of the National Libertarian Party and the Social Christian Party, surged strongly by winning 42 seats—far surpassing the more traditional right wing of Chile Grande y Unido (RN, UDI, Evópoli, and Democrats), which together secured 34 seats.

This breakaway “new conservative right,” with its emphasis on family values, a hard line against crime, and strict immigration control, reflects the frustration of the middle and working classes in the face of transnational crime—such as that tied to groups like Tren de Aragua.

In the Senate, although they did not achieve a majority (25 of 50 seats), the opposition bloc tied with the ruling coalition, strengthening its ability to block radical agendas like the constitutional reforms promoted by Boric, which have fueled economic and social instability.

A historic voter turnout of 85%, driven by compulsory voting, amplified this conservative wave, with more than 13 million votes punishing what many saw as leftist misgovernance. In the presidential race, the December 14 runoff will pit Jeannette Jara, the communist candidate of “Unidad por Chile” who won 26.8% of the vote, against José Antonio Kast of the Republican Party, who gained 23.9%.

Although Jara led in the first round, her slim margin—far below the 30% predicted by polls—reveals the weariness with Boricism, marked by rising homicides and youth unemployment. Kast, in turn, consolidates unified right-wing backing: Evelyn Matthei (13.2%) and Johannes Kaiser (13.9%) have both announced their immediate support, bringing nearly 50% of the initial vote to his cause.

Franco Parisi’s surprising third place (18.8%), with his “Partido de la Gente” capturing 14 independent deputies, complicates matters for Jara, who will now need to negotiate with a critical outsider to avoid a crushing defeat.

Kast, in his third presidential bid, positions his “Safe Chile” agenda—calling for mass expulsions of irregular migrants and a relentless crackdown on drug trafficking—as the antidote to the progressive chaos, gaining ground in regions like Biobío and La Araucanía, strongholds of insecurity. This parliamentary shift not only buries the hopes of the left, now reduced to an insignificant minority, but also sets the stage for a Congress where the right will impose pragmatic priorities: cuts to inefficient public spending, strengthening the Armed Forces, and protecting the traditional family over gender-focused agendas.

Previously, we reported on this in Gateway Hispanic, where we highlighted Kast’s rise as an anti-woke figure in Latin America, in an analysis on the failure of socialist governments in the region.

The message from Chileans is clear: enough with ideological experiments that prioritize open borders and unsustainable subsidies; a return to the values that built the country’s prosperity is imperative.