🔗 Share this article Ultra-Conservative Ex- Congressman J.A. Kast Chosen as Chile Incoming Head of State. In a decisive second-round vote, ultra-conservative figure José Antonio Kast has clinched the presidential office in Chile. A Clear-Cut Victory After over 99% of votes tallied, Kast secured 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 second round. Campaign Centered On Law and Order and Migration Noted for his staunch Catholic views and admiration for the period of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's platform was largely focused on promises to tackle growing crime and significantly reduce immigration. He repeatedly blamed immigrants, notably the roughly 330,000 unauthorized individuals in Chile, for crime rates. Throughout the campaign, he issued an stern warning for them to exit before the inauguration or face expulsion. His policy ideas featured U.S.-style measures such as constructing holding facilities, border walls, security fences, and increasing the armed forces presence on the northernmost border. Amid a Broader Wave Many observers view Kast's victory as part of a wider conservative wave in South America, coming after this year's political results in nations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina. Yet, other experts also describe it as a extension of the regular rotation of power between left-wing and right-wing administrations since Chile's transition to democracy in 1990. Ruling Lacking a Solid Majority In spite of his sweeping electoral triumph, Kast will not have an clear majority in parliament, not in the lower house nor the Senate, even when various conservative parties are counted together. This political reality might hinder his agenda, including a vow to slash public spending by $6 billion within 18 months—a proposal for which he has yet to provided concrete steps. "There are numerous aspects about how a Kast government will operate that remain unclear because he has not detailed the way he will implement them," said a political analyst. The expert continued, "In terms of economic policy, it is very likely we will see austerity policies associated with the right-wing. However where there is far less uncertainty is on law and order, because that has been his workhorse across the campaign."