🔗 Share this article Hardline Former Legislator J.A. Kast Chosen as Chile Incoming President. After a definitive runoff election, far-right figure José Antonio Kast has clinched the top job in Chile. A Resounding Triumph After more than 99% of votes tallied, Kast garnered 58.17% of the ballots, beating leftist contender Jeannette Jara, who earned 41.83%. This represents Kast's third bid for the presidency, having previously been lost by the incumbent president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 second round. Campaign Centered On Law and Order and Migration Recognized for his staunch socially conservative views and regard for the period of former leader Augusto Pinochet, Kast's platform was largely centered on promises to tackle increasing violence and significantly restrict migration. He repeatedly blamed migrants, especially the around 330,000 unauthorized individuals in Chile, for security issues. During the race, he issued an ultimatum for them to depart before the inauguration or face expulsion. His proposals featured Trump-inspired measures such as building detention centers, high walls, perimeter fencing, and strengthening the army presence on the northernmost border. Within a Continental Wave Several analysts view Kast's victory as part of a larger right-wing trend in Latin America, coming after this year's electoral wins in countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina. Nevertheless, other experts further view it as a part of the predictable alternation of power between left-wing and right governments since Chile's transition to democracy in 1990. Governing Lacking a Solid Mandate Despite his clear popular vote win, Kast will not have an overall majority in Congress, not in the Chamber of Deputies or the Senate, even if various conservative parties are counted together. This political landscape could challenge his plans, such as a promise to reduce public spending by $6 billion within a year and a half—a plan for which he has yet to provided concrete steps. "We have many questions about how a Kast government will look like that we don't know because he has not said how he will achieve them," said a political science expert. The analyst added, "Regarding economic policy, it is almost certain we will see spending cuts associated with the right-wing. However where there is much less uncertainty is on law and order, because that has been his workhorse during the race."