🔗 Share this article

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

A Commanding Win

After more than 99% of votes tallied, Kast secured 58.17% of the ballots, beating leftist former minister Jeannette Jara, who earned 41.83%.

This marks Kast's third attempt at the presidency, having earlier been beaten by the incumbent president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 second round.

Agenda Centered On Law and Order and Migration

Noted for his strong socially conservative views and praise for the period of former leader Augusto Pinochet, Kast's platform was mostly focused on promises to combat growing crime and significantly curb migration.

He consistently blamed immigrants, notably the around 330,000 unauthorized individuals in Chile, for security issues. Throughout the election cycle, he gave an stern warning for them to leave before the new term begins or face expulsion.

His policy ideas featured U.S.-style measures such as constructing detention centers, border walls, perimeter fencing, and bolstering the military presence on the northernmost frontier.

Part of a Broader Trend

Many commentators interpret Kast's win as fitting into a broader conservative wave in Latin America, coming after recent political results in nations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Nevertheless, other experts additionally describe it as a extension of the predictable swing of power between left and right-wing administrations since Chile's transition to democracy in 1990.

Governing Lacking a Solid Majority

In spite of his clear electoral win, Kast is not expected to have an overall majority in the legislature, neither in the lower house or the Senate, even when all conservative parties are grouped together.

This political landscape may challenge his policy goals, such as a vow to reduce public spending by a significant sum within a year and a half—a measure for which he has not provided specifics.

"There are several questions about how a Kast government will be that remain unclear because he has not detailed how he will achieve them," commented a political science professor.

The expert added, "On economic policy, it is very likely we will see spending cuts associated with the right. But where there is far less uncertainty is on security policy, because that has been his flagship issue during the campaign."