Chileans overwhelmingly elected Jeannette Jara, the country's former labor minister, on Sunday to be the incumbent government's candidate and face off against a field of right-wing contenders in November's presidential elections.

Former Labor Minister Jeannette Jara, a member of Chile's Communist Party, won more than 60% of the vote in Sunday's presidential primary for the ruling coalition, Unity for Chile.,

Jara’s anointment comes as polls show far-right candidate José Antonio Kast of the Republican party leading the race with a campaign focused on rising concern over organised crime and immigration.