Chile primary results leave presidential contest open

Significance

In both votes, the frontrunners for the November presidential election were defeated by younger candidates from outside Chile’s traditional political establishment. By eliminating the more extreme candidates, the primaries have reduced uncertainty by narrowing the policy space in which the presidential election will be fought.

Impacts

• The result of the primaries is a major blow for the Communist Party and its bid to capitalise on social discontent.
• Both Boric and Sichel will face the challenge of appealing to the centre, without losing core voters to more radical options.
• The COVID-19 pandemic, currently in abeyance, is likely to regain force as the Delta variant arrives and could affect November's election.