🔗 Share this article Far-Right Ex- Lawmaker José Antonio Kast Chosen as Chile's Incoming Head of State. Following a conclusive final ballot, hardline figure José Antonio Kast has secured the presidential office in Chile. A Commanding Victory After over 99% of votes tallied, Kast garnered 58.17% of the vote, defeating leftist contender Jeannette Jara, who obtained 41.83%. This marks Kast's third attempt at the presidency, having previously been beaten by the current president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 second round. Agenda Focused On Security and Immigration Noted for his unwavering socially conservative views and praise for the rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's electoral bid was mostly built on promises to combat rising insecurity and significantly reduce immigration. He consistently cited foreigners, notably the roughly 330,000 illegal individuals in Chile, for crime rates. Throughout the campaign, he gave an final demand for them to depart before the inauguration or face deportation. His policy ideas featured Trump-inspired measures such as building holding facilities, barriers, electric fences, and increasing the army presence on the northernmost border. Part of a Continental Wave Many observers interpret Kast's win as aligning with a wider conservative wave in Latin America, similar to this year's electoral results in countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina. Nevertheless, other experts also frame it as a part of the regular rotation of power between left-wing and right leadership since Chile's transition to democracy in 1990. Ruling Lacking a Solid Majority In spite of his decisive popular vote victory, Kast is not expected to have an overall majority in parliament, not in the Chamber of Deputies or the Senate, even when various conservative parties are grouped together. This political reality may complicate his policy goals, including a promise to slash public spending by $6 billion within a year and a half—a plan for which he has not detailed a clear explanation. "There are several things about what a Kast presidency will operate that we don't know because he has not detailed how he will implement them," said a political analyst. The professor added, "In terms of the economy, it is almost certain we will see spending cuts typical of the right. But the area with much less doubt is on law and order, because that has been his central theme throughout the race."