Chile is having a big vote for a new president and parliament. The main candidates are Jeannette Jara, a communist, and José Antonio Kast, a far-right figure. Both are focusing on crime and immigration, even though they have very different views on other things.

Voting is now mandatory in Chile. This means more people have to vote, and those who don't might have to pay a fine. The country is also renewing its entire lower house of Congress and part of the Senate.

Crime and immigration are big issues. Chile has seen a rise in gang-related crime and a lot of immigrants from Venezuela. Both Jara and Kast want to be tough on immigration, but they have different ideas on how to do it.

The right-wing vote is split. Kast is leading, but there are other candidates like Evelyn Matthei, who is more moderate, and Johannes Kaiser, who is a libertarian. Jara is leading on the left, but she might face a tough runoff against a right-wing candidate.

The economy is also a big issue. Jara wants to raise the minimum wage and boost pensions, but she also wants to keep public debt low. Kast wants to cut spending and lower taxes to help the economy grow.

This election is different from the last one. In 2021, people voted for change and elected Boric, a young protest leader. But now, people are more worried about crime and the economy. It's a big change for Chile.

CRIME FEARS

Chile's Big Vote: Crime, Immigration, and a Divided Nation

Continue reading...