Chile’s government is playing the Kast game. Will that help or hurt him?

SANTIAGO — According to Chilean law, public officials cannot get personally involved in electoral campaigns without first stepping down from their positions. Statements and measures with electoral implications from high-ranking government officials usually spark swift reactions from watchdogs, reminding the government of its duty to remain neutral during the electoral season.

“Authorities must give clear signals to the public that they have a real commitment with integrity, exercising their functions without placing particular interests over the general good,” warned Gloria de la Fuente in November. Ms. De La Fuente is the president of the Council for Transparency, an independent office responsible for overseeing government integrity.

But after the first-round presidential race thrust far-right candidate José Antonio Kast against left-wing Gabriel Boric in a head-to-head runoff contest, the Sebastián Piñera administration decided to throw caution to the wind, diving headfirst into the campaign in support of the former.

The government-backed candidate Sebastián Sichel finished fourth in the first round, causing the ruling coalition to join Mr. Kast’s campaign with fierce support....