Chile right-wing Kast gains edge in polls as presidential vote nears

Chilean presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast from far-right Republican Party meets with supporters during a campaign rally in the outskirts of Santiago, ahead of the first round of presidential elections on November 21, Chile, October 25, 2021. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's right-wing presidential candidate, José Antonio Kast, is pulling ahead in pre-election opinion polls just weeks before the country's November ballot, though is still seen losing a likely second-round run-off against a candidate from the left.

The Pulso Ciudadano study, released on Sunday by the consulting firm Activa Research, showed the ultra-conservative candidate sometimes likened to Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro gaining 26.5% of the vote, pulling slightly ahead of center-left former student leader Gabriel Boric, at 25%.