Two political coalitions decided to participate: Former president Sebastián Piñera won the Chile Vamos primary with 58% of the vote, while radio and television journalist Beatriz Sánchez became the Broad Front nominee with nearly 68%.

The Nueva Mayoría was expected to hold a primary election to select its candidate for president.

Senator Alejandro Guillier was proclaimed as candidate by the Radical Social Democratic (PRSD), Socialist (PS) and Communist (PC) parties.

However, on April 29, 2017, the Christian Democratic Party decided to break away from the Nueva Mayoría coalition and present their candidate, Senator Carolina Goic, directly to the first round.

[26] According to Chilean law, Guillier will have to collect signatures to participate in the first round, even if he is supported by a political party, given his status as an independent politician.