One day before the final presidential debate ahead of the runoff, Arturo Squella, president of the Republican Party, stressed the need to focus on security and unemployment. The face-off between Jeannette Jara and José Antonio Kast will take place on Tuesday, December 9, at 21:00 in TVN's Studio 2. It will be broadcast simultaneously on Anatel channels.
The debate organized by the National Association of Television of Chile (Anatel) between Jeannette Jara and José Antonio Kast marks the final face-off before the presidential runoff on Sunday, December 14. Scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, at 21:00 in Televisión Nacional de Chile's (TVN) Studio 2, the event will last 2 hours and 30 minutes and be broadcast on La Red, TV+, TVN, Mega, Chilevisión, and Canal 13, plus their digital platforms.
Arturo Squella, president of the Republican Party, outlined expectations for the encounter. “In this last debate, we hope the questions revolve around how the President of the Republic will address the problems our country is facing,” he stated, prioritizing urgencies in security and economic recovery. He emphasized the need for explanations on “how organized crime and drug trafficking will be confronted,” and concrete definitions to create “the million jobs needed to give stability to Chilean families.”
The renewed format features candidates seated at podiums separated by 2.5 meters, allowing direct interaction. There will be nine thematic blocks moderated by different journalists: Carolina Urrejola (TVN), Julia Vial (TV+), Iván Valenzuela (Canal 13), Constanza Santa María (Mega), and Macarena Pizarro (Chilevisión). It includes two blocks of cross-questions and final messages, with no electronic devices allowed—only paper and pen. The debate will occur without a studio audience, though a parallel space at TVN will host up to 20 guests per campaign team plus political, academic, and social representatives.
Anatel anticipates viewership similar to the 6.5 million from the first-round debate. It will also draw international observers from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and the United States, interested in Chile's model developed since 1993. Squella concluded: “We hope this sets the tone for this last debate so that on Sunday all Chileans can choose our next President of the Republic.”