🔗 Share this article

In a decisive runoff election, far-right figure José Antonio Kast has clinched the presidency in Chile.

A Clear-Cut Triumph

With more than 99% of ballots counted, Kast secured 58.17% of the votes, beating leftist contender Jeannette Jara, who earned 41.83%.

This signifies Kast's third bid for the presidency, having earlier been beaten by the current president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 second round.

Campaign Focused On Security and Migration

Noted for his unwavering Catholic views and praise for the era of former leader Augusto Pinochet, Kast's campaign was largely built on promises to tackle rising violence and radically restrict migration.

He consistently cited immigrants, particularly the roughly 330,000 undocumented individuals in Chile, for public safety problems. Throughout the race, he issued an stern warning for them to leave before the March 11 handover or face deportation.

His proposals featured Trump-inspired measures such as building detention centers, high walls, security fences, and bolstering the military presence on the northernmost border.

Within a Regional Trend

Many observers view Kast's success as fitting into a broader right-wing wave in Latin America, coming after recent electoral results in countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Yet, other analysts additionally frame it as a extension of the established swing of power between left and right administrations since Chile's transition to democracy in 1990.

Ruling Without a Clear Majority

In spite of his sweeping electoral victory, Kast will not have an clear majority in Congress, not in the lower house or the Senate, even when all rightwing parties are counted together.

This political situation might complicate his plans, such as a promise to slash public spending by billions within a year and a half—a proposal for which he has yet to offered a clear explanation.

"We have numerous questions about what a Kast presidency will operate that remain unclear because he has not said how he will implement them," noted a political professor.

The professor added, "In terms of fiscal matters, it is highly probable we will see spending cuts associated with the right. But where there is far less uncertainty is on public safety, because that has been his workhorse throughout the campaign."