🔗 Share this article Ultra-Conservative Ex- Lawmaker José Antonio Kast Chosen as Chile New Head of State. After a definitive second-round vote, far-right candidate José Antonio Kast has secured the presidency in Chile. A Clear-Cut Triumph With over 99% of polling stations reporting, Kast garnered 58.17% of the vote, overcoming leftist contender Jeannette Jara, who obtained 41.83%. This represents Kast's third presidency, having earlier been lost by the incumbent president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 second round. Campaign Built On Security and Immigration Noted for his staunch socially conservative views and praise for the rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's electoral bid was primarily focused on promises to address rising insecurity and drastically restrict immigration. He consistently cited immigrants, particularly the approximately 330,000 illegal individuals in Chile, for crime rates. During the election cycle, he gave an ultimatum for them to depart before the inauguration or face deportation. His proposals featured U.S.-style measures such as building detention centers, border walls, security fences, and increasing the military presence on the northern frontier. Within a Continental Trend Many analysts view Kast's victory as part of a broader right-wing wave in South America, similar to this year's electoral results in countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina. However, other pundits further frame it as a part of the regular rotation of power between left-wing and right administrations since Chile's establishment of democracy in 1990. Governing Without a Solid Mandate Despite his decisive electoral win, Kast is not expected to have an clear majority in parliament, not in the lower house or the Senate, even when all right-leaning parties are counted together. This political reality may hinder his agenda, including a vow to slash public spending by billions within a year and a half—a proposal for which he has not offered specifics. "There are many things about what a Kast government will look like that remain unclear because he has not detailed his methods for achieve them," noted a political professor. The expert continued, "In terms of fiscal matters, it is very likely we will see austerity policies associated with the right. However where there is much less doubt is on public safety, because that has been his flagship issue across the race."