On 22 December, the Senate voted to impeach Supreme Court Justice Diego Simpertigue, citing ‘notable abandonment of duties’ and ethical misconduct. He was convicted on two of three charges, stemming from his failure to recuse himself in cases involving the Belarusian-linked consortium Belaz Movitec. The consortium, which received over CLP 17 billion in state funds, benefited from rulings in which Simpertigue participated. Notably, Simpertigue authored a 2024 ruling that awarded the consortium over CLP 1 billion in additional payments from Codelco. His impartiality was questioned after revelations of a European cruise he attended with one of the consortium's lawyers shortly after the rulings. The corruption allegations span multiple years, with key rulings in 2023 and 2024 linked to the consortium's legal disputes. Lawmakers highlighted that his actions undermined judicial impartiality. The Senate's decision also bars Simpertigue from holding public office for five years.

Sources: Ciper, La Tercera, ExAnte, Senado de la Republica

Chile held general elections on 16 November, the first under mandatory voting and automatic registration. Jeannette Jara, representing the Unity for Chile coalition, led the presidential race with 26.8 per cent of the vote, followed by José Antonio Kast of the Republican Party with 23.9 per cent. Both candidates will now advance to a runoff scheduled for 14 December. Voter turnout reached a record 85.3 per cent, driven by the introduction of compulsory voting. This marks a significant increase from the 47.3 per cent turnout in the last presidential election (November 2021) when voting was not mandatory.

In parliamentary elections, the Republican Party gained significant ground, securing 31 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, though the broader right-wing bloc did not achieve a majority. Women’s representation in the Senate increased from 13 to 15 seats, while in the Chamber of Deputies, it decreased from 55 to 52 seats. Key campaign issues included public security, migration and economic reforms, highlighting a polarized political environment. Electoral observation missions’ preliminary reports highlighted the high voter turnout and adherence to democratic standards, with final assessments expected in the coming weeks.

Update: On 14 December, Chile held the second round of its presidential election, in which José Antonio Kast was elected president with a decisive margin over Jeannette Jara. According to official results, Kast received just over 58.2 per cent of the vote compared with approximately 41.8 per cent for Jara, with a voter turnout of 84.1 per cent. Kast is scheduled to assume office in March 2026.

Sources: Servicio Electoral de Chile, International IDEA, El País, IPU, Americas Quarterly, Parlasur, AP News, El Pais (2) ,Decide Chile

On 10 September, the Chilean Senate approved a constitutional amendment to restrict voting rights for non-naturalized foreigners that would enter into force in 2026. The unanimous vote amended Article 14 of the Constitution, which previously allowed foreign residents with five years of residency to participate in all elections. Under the new provisions, eligibility will require ten years of continuous residency and permanent legal status to vote in all elections. Proponents assert that the amendment enhances democratic integrity by aligning voting rights more closely with national citizenship, with compulsory voting in place since 2022. However, critics caution that it risks marginalizing immigrant communities and undermining inclusion. The bill, which also introduces fines for Chilean citizens who fail to vote, will now be considered by the Chamber of Deputies.

Sources: Senado de la República de Chile, La Tercera, El País 

On 22 July, a civil court in Santiago ruled that the heirs of former dictator Augusto Pinochet must return USD 16 million to the Chilean state. The case builds on a 2018 Supreme Court ruling—known as the ‘Riggs case,’ after the bank that helped conceal millions in embezzled assets—that determined Pinochet had diverted public funds and hidden them in offshore accounts. The new judgment states that his heirs benefited from this illicit money and are therefore responsible for returning it to the state. Pinochet was prosecuted in 2005 for the funds but never served prison time, as he died in 2006 before a conviction was secured. The new ruling affects more than 15 members of the Pinochet family and could still be appealed. Experts have praised the decision, saying it represents the first attempt to repair the significant material damage caused by Pinochet’s de facto administration through the misappropriation of public funds.

Sources: El Pais, Radio Chile, Pagina 12