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After a definitive final ballot, far-right figure José Antonio Kast has won the presidency in Chile.

A Commanding Win

After more than 99% of polling stations reporting, Kast won 58.17% of the ballots, overcoming leftist contender Jeannette Jara, who received 41.83%.

This represents Kast's third attempt at the presidency, having in the past been defeated by the current president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 final vote.

Campaign Built On Law and Order and Migration

Recognized for his unwavering socially conservative views and praise for the period of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's platform was largely centered on promises to address growing violence and radically restrict migration.

He consistently blamed foreigners, notably the approximately 330,000 illegal individuals in Chile, for crime rates. During the election cycle, he delivered an ultimatum for them to exit before the new term begins or face deportation.

His policy ideas envisioned controversial measures such as constructing detention centers, border walls, electric fences, and increasing the army presence on the northernmost frontier.

Amid a Continental Trend

Many commentators see Kast's win as part of a larger rightward trend in Latin America, similar to this year's electoral results in countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Yet, other experts additionally frame it as a part of the predictable swing of power between left-wing and right governments since Chile's return to democracy in 1990.

Leading Lacking a Solid Mandate

In spite of his clear electoral triumph, Kast is not expected to hold an overall majority in Congress, neither in the Chamber of Deputies nor the Senate, even if various right-leaning parties are combined together.

This legislative landscape could complicate his plans, such as a pledge to cut public spending by billions within a year and a half—a proposal for which he has not detailed a clear explanation.

"We have several questions about how a Kast administration will operate that remain unclear because he has not detailed the way he will achieve them," noted a political science analyst.

The expert stated, "In terms of fiscal matters, it is almost certain we will see adjustment measures typical of the right. But the area with much less uncertainty is on security policy, because that has been his workhorse during the campaign."