2017 Chilean general election

2017 Chilean general election
Election name	2017 Chilean general election
Country	Chile
Type	presidential and parliamentary
Previous election	2013 Chilean general election
Previous year	2013
Next election	2021 Chilean general election
Next year	2021
Election date	19 November 2017 (first round); 17 December 2017 (runoff)

2017 Chilean general election The 2017 Chilean general election was held to elect the President of Chile, members of the National Congress, and regional authorities, culminating in a presidential runoff. The contest involved prominent figures from across the Chilean political spectrum including candidates associated with National Renewal (Chile), Independent Democratic Union, Christian Democratic Party (Chile), Socialist Party of Chile, and newer movements such as Revolución Democrática and Amarillos por Chile. Voter participation and alliances were shaped by the aftermath of the 2015–2017 social protests, debates over the pension system, and institutional changes from the 2015 Chilean electoral reform.

Background

Chile approached the 2017 contests amid economic, social, and institutional debates involving leading figures and parties. The presidency vacated by Michelle Bachelet prompted alignments among center-right and center-left coalitions including the Coalition for Change-aligned parties like Renovación Nacional and Unión Demócrata Independiente as well as the Nueva Mayoría constituents such as the Party for Democracy (Chile), Communist Party of Chile, and Social Democrat Radical Party. The political environment incorporated activism led by organizations like Movimiento NO+AFP, student organizations tied to the 2011–2013 student protests, and critics from movements associated with Evo Morales and Pablo Iglesias Turrión's influence, affecting discourse on the 1980 Constitution and decentralization pushed by the National Association of Municipalities of Chile.

Electoral system

The presidential election used a two-round system defined under the 1980 Constitution and subsequent reforms enacted by the 2015 Chilean electoral reform. The Chilean Chamber of Deputies and Chilean Senate were elected under proportional representation using the D'Hondt method for deputies and a binomial-influenced setup for senators modified by the reform; seats were contested by party lists from organizations such as Broad Front (Chile), Humanist Party (Chile), and traditional blocs like Christian Democratic Party (Chile). Voting age and registration processes followed statutes overseen by the Electoral Service (Servel) and disputes were adjudicated by the Tricel (Electoral Court of Chile).

Candidates and campaigns

Major presidential aspirants included former ministers and senators from established parties and emergent leaders from new blocs. On the center-right, Sebastián Piñera, former President and member of Chile Vamos, led a campaign backed by National Renewal and Independent Democratic Union, while José Antonio Kast represented a conservative strand allied with Evópoli and elements of Movimiento Social Patriótico. The center-left field featured Alejandro Guillier, an independent senator with ties to the Socialist Party of Chile and endorsements from Christian Democratic Party (Chile) factions, alongside figures such as Beatriz Sánchez of Revolución Democrática and the Broad Front (Chile), and Carolina Goic representing the Christian Democratic Party (Chile). Campaign themes involved policy positions on the AFP pension system, education reforms long associated with Camila Vallejo and Gabriel Boric's allies, health proposals debated by proponents connected to Ricardo Lagos and rivals from Joaquín Lavín's circles, and institutional change referencing the Concertación era and critics like Marco Enríquez-Ominami.

Campaign financing and media coverage were influenced by outlets linked to business groups such as El Mercurio and Copesa, while street mobilization referenced organizers from the Confederation of Chilean Students and labor sectors historically associated with the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (Chile). International observers from bodies like the Organization of American States monitored aspects of the contest.

Opinion polls

Opinion polling firms including Cadem, Gfk Chile, and university-affiliated centers such as the Adimark-linked institutions released frequent surveys showing fluctuating support among candidates. Early polls showed a lead for Sebastián Piñera with competitive standings for Alejandro Guillier, while surge dynamics propelled Beatriz Sánchez and José Antonio Kast into contention according to trackers by Consulta Mitofsky-style methodologies practiced by local firms and televised debates hosted on channels owned by Mega (Chilean TV channel) and TVN. Polling accuracy and turnout models were debated by academics from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and University of Chile who analyzed sampling frames and the impact of newly registered voters following the 2015 Chilean electoral reform.

Election results

In the first round on 19 November 2017, no candidate secured an absolute majority, producing a runoff between the top two candidates, Sebastián Piñera and Alejandro Guillier. Legislative results reshaped the composition of the Chilean Senate and Chilean Chamber of Deputies with gains by the Chile Vamos coalition and notable performance by the Broad Front (Chile), while traditional parties such as the Socialist Party of Chile and Christian Democratic Party (Chile) experienced diminished shares. The second round on 17 December 2017 resulted in a victory for Sebastián Piñera, who went on to form an administration drawing on ministers from National Renewal, Independent Democratic Union, and technical figures akin to those from previous cabinets including advisors associated with Andrés Chadwick and economic teams recalling ties to Hernán Büchi's economic circles.

Aftermath and government formation

Following the runoff, coalition negotiations involved appointments across ministries interfacing with institutions such as the Central Bank of Chile and engagements with social organizations like Movimiento NO+AFP and university leaders from University of Santiago, Chile. The new administration prioritized cabinet formation with figures from Chile Vamos and technocrats who had served in prior governments like those of Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle and Joaquín Lavín-era officials, while opposition coordination among Nueva Mayoría remnants, the Broad Front (Chile), and the Communist Party of Chile set the stage for future legislative contests and debates over constitutional reform, pension policy, and decentralization initiatives affecting regions such as Valparaíso Region and Araucanía Region.

Category:Elections in Chile