Chile leftist Boric holds on to lead in polls ahead of presidential vote

FILE PHOTO: Chilean Presidential candidate Gabriel Boric from left-wing 'Apruebo Dignidad' (I Approve Dignity) coalition takes part in a live televised debate, in Santiago, Chile, November 15, 2021. Esteban Felix /Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chilean leftist presidential candidate Gabriel Boric held on to a lead over conservative José Antonio Kast ahead of a runoff election on Dec. 19 , a private poll released on Thursday showed.

According to pollster Criteria Research, the 35-year-old lawmaker and former student leader, who is running for a leftist coalition of the Frente Amplio and the Communist Party, had 54% of voting preferences compared to 46% for Kast.