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Chile Holds Presidential Election Amid Crime and Immigration Debate
Chile is holding its presidential election on Sunday, with candidates campaigning on tough stances on crime and immigration. The vote comes four years after progressive Gabriel Boric was elected, at a time when the electorate is deeply divided and a new compulsory voting law adds an element of uncertainty.
Over 14 million Chileans are eligible to vote in the elections, which will also renew the entire Chamber of Deputies and nearly half of the Senate. Security and immigration concerns have dominated the campaign, shifting public attention toward conservative candidates. Evelyn Matthei has called for drug traffickers to be “in jail or in the cemetery,” while Franco Parisi described drug trafficking as “narco-terrorism” and advocated for “bullet or jail.”
The three main contenders offer contrasting visions for Chile’s future. José Antonio Kast, 59, a Republican Party member and the brother of a former minister who served under General Augusto Pinochet, is running for president for the third time. He has focused his campaign on combating crime and illegal immigration. Jeannette Jara, 51, a former minister in Boric’s government and member of the Communist Party, has pledged to expand pensions, lower electricity costs, and construct tens of thousands of new homes. Johannes Kaiser, 49, a former YouTube commentator and legislator, has questioned vaccination programs, opposed abortion, and promised to withdraw Chile from climate agreements and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
The introduction of compulsory voting in 2023 could significantly affect turnout, particularly among younger voters. Generation Z, born after 1996, accounts for roughly a third of the electorate, and polls suggest that 30% of these voters have yet to decide. Social media has played a major role, with candidates using platforms like TikTok to mobilize supporters. Jara and Matthei have accused Kast of orchestrating social media campaigns against them, allegations he denies.
Polls indicate a close race. Latest surveys show Jara leading with 30% support, followed by Kast at 22% and Kaiser at 15%. Prediction markets, however, see Kast as the frontrunner with a 70% chance of winning. Analysts suggest that none of the candidates is likely to secure an absolute majority on Sunday, making a run-off election probable on 14 December, likely between Jara and Kast.
A conservative or far-right advance could also reshape the legislative landscape. Polls suggest that both coalitions might achieve a majority in Congress, raising the possibility of a government with limited parliamentary opposition—a scenario not seen in Chile in the past 15 years.
Polling stations opened at 8:00 local time (UTC-4) and will close at 18:00. With crime, immigration, and economic issues at the forefront, this election is being closely watched as a test of Chile’s political direction in a highly polarized environment.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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