🔗 Share this article Ultra-Conservative Ex- Legislator José Antonio Kast Voted In as Chile's Incoming Head of State. In a decisive second-round vote, far-right figure José Antonio Kast has won the top job in Chile. A Commanding Triumph After over 99% of polling stations reporting, Kast garnered 58.17% of the ballots, overcoming leftist contender Jeannette Jara, who earned 41.83%. This marks Kast's third attempt at the presidency, having in the past been defeated by the current president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 final vote. Platform Centered On Law and Order and Migration Recognized for his staunch socially conservative views and regard for the era of former leader Augusto Pinochet, Kast's platform was primarily built on promises to address growing crime and drastically restrict migration. He repeatedly pointed to immigrants, particularly the around 330,000 illegal individuals in Chile, for crime rates. During the race, he gave an final demand for them to depart before the March 11 handover or face expulsion. His policy ideas featured controversial measures such as constructing camps, high walls, security fences, and increasing the military presence on the northern border. Amid a Regional Shift Many analysts view Kast's victory as fitting into a larger right-wing trend in South America, coming after recent political results in nations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina. Yet, other pundits additionally describe it as a continuation of the established alternation of power between left and right administrations since Chile's establishment of democracy in 1990. Governing Without a Solid Mandate Despite his sweeping electoral win, Kast does not have an clear majority in the legislature, not in the lower house nor the Senate, even when all rightwing parties are grouped together. This legislative situation may complicate his plans, such as a vow to slash public spending by a significant sum within a year and a half—a measure for which he has not detailed specifics. "There are several questions about what a Kast presidency will look like that we don't know because he has not explained how he will implement them," commented a political expert. The professor stated, "In terms of fiscal matters, it is highly probable we will see austerity policies typical of the right-wing. However where there is considerably less ambiguity is on public safety, because that has been his workhorse during the race."