A hard-right former lawmaker and admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump appeared poised to win a polarizing presidential runoff against a member of Chile’s Communist Party representing the incumbent government next month.

Jose Antonio Kast's far-right Republican Party made strong gains in both chambers of Congress following Chile's Sunday presidential election, but fell short of majorities and will need to forge alliances to pass reforms.

The presidential runoff election will be between Jeannette Jara, a progressive from President Gabriel Boric’s governing coalition, and far-right former congressman José Antonio Kast

Ultraconservative lawyer Jose Antonio Kast is the favourite to become Chile's next leader, when he and rival Jeanette Jarra head to a second round of presidential elections next month. Neither candidate scored a majority of votes in the first round,

With nearly 80% of the vote counted and results still trickling in, Chile's left-wing President Gabriel Boric recognised Jara and Kast as the front-runners headed to the second round of elections, scheduled for Dec.

Chile’s peso and equities firmed on Monday, while local bond yields edged lower, as markets interpreted the first-round presidential vote as opening the door to more market-friendly policies. Far-right candidate José Antonio Kast is now seen as the frontrunner for the December 14 runoff despite finishing slightly behind government coalition