Chile’s Surprise Kingmaker Refuses to Back Left or Far‑Right in Runoff

Franco Parisi, the populist economist who unexpectedly finished third in Chile’s presidential first round, says he will not endorse either of the two runoff candidates — Communist Jeannette Jara or hard‑right José Antonio Kast — ahead of the Dec. 14 vote.

Parisi told reporters he has been inundated with calls from leaders across the political spectrum seeking his support for the roughly 20 percent of voters who backed him. But he said he will not negotiate endorsements or government posts in exchange for backing either front‑runner.

"I don't trust them"

“I’m not talking to either of them because I don’t trust them,” Parisi said. “They don’t believe in common sense. They believe in ideology.” Using his campaign slogan — “neither communist, nor fascist” — he argued that many Chileans distrust traditional parties on both the left and the right.

In the Nov. 16 first round, Jeannette Jara led with 26.9 percent after campaigning to expand Chile’s social safety net. José Antonio Kast trailed with 23.9 percent after running a campaign focused on crime and immigration. Parisi won 19.7 percent, roughly 2.5 million votes, and his Party of the People captured 14 of 155 seats in the lower house.

Why Parisi says no

Parisi said he doubts Kast, a longtime conservative politician from Chile’s elite, would address entrenched market concentration that limits opportunity for many Chileans. He also warned that Kast’s devout Catholicism could translate into restrictions on individual freedoms, citing the candidate’s opposition to same‑sex marriage and abortion access.

Parisi described Jara, who grew up in the working‑class Santiago neighborhood of Conchalí, as personally likable but ideologically committed to a state‑led economic model that he believes would stifle entrepreneurship. He criticized the Communist Party’s internal hierarchy as a system that rewards loyalty over innovation.

What Parisi’s supporters might do

Because voting is compulsory in Chile, Parisi predicted many of his supporters will cast blank or invalid ballots on Dec. 14 as a protest against the binary choice. “Null votes, blank ballots — that will be the big shadow of this election,” he said.

Analysts say Parisi’s appeal taps into broader regional discontent: his voters generally embrace consumerism and capitalism — they shop, want homes and better economic opportunities — but feel the system is skewed against them.

Political scientist Patricio Navia: “Parisi's supporters like going to the mall, they want to own a house, they like capitalism. But they feel like there isn’t a level playing field, that they’re being left out.”

Parisi, a prominent YouTuber whose online presence helped build his outsider brand, says he is currently isolated at home and not answering calls as political elites press for his support.

Representatives for both Jara and Kast did not immediately respond to requests for comment.