The two main political coalitions decided to participate: Former president Michelle Bachelet won the Nueva Mayoría primary with 73% of the vote, while former senator and minister Pablo Longueira won the Alianza primary with 51%.
Longueira withdrew on 17 July and was replaced by Evelyn Matthei, who had not participated in the primaries.
[1] Affiliates from both Alianza parties (RN and UDI) plus independent electors were allowed to vote.
[8] Affiliates from all Nueva Mayoría parties plus independent electors were allowed to vote.
A primary was held on 19 January 2013 to determine the Christian Democratic Party's pre-candidate for the presidency.