Following a conclusive runoff election, far-right politician José Antonio Kast has secured the presidential office in Chile.
After more than 99% of ballots counted, Kast garnered 58.17% of the votes, beating leftist former minister Jeannette Jara, who received 41.83%.
This marks Kast's third presidency, having earlier been beaten by the incumbent president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 final vote.
Known for his staunch Catholic views and admiration for the era of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's campaign was mostly centered on promises to tackle rising violence and significantly restrict migration.
He frequently blamed foreigners, particularly the approximately 330,000 undocumented individuals in Chile, for crime rates. During the election cycle, he gave an stern warning for them to depart before the new term begins or face removal.
His proposals featured Trump-inspired measures such as erecting camps, border walls, perimeter fencing, and increasing the army presence on the northern frontier.
Many analysts interpret Kast's success as part of a wider conservative trend in the region, similar to this year's political wins in nations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.
Yet, other analysts further describe it as a extension of the regular swing of power between left and right-wing governments since Chile's transition to democracy in 1990.
In spite of his clear popular vote victory, Kast is not expected to command an absolute majority in parliament, not in the lower house or the Senate, even when various right-leaning parties are grouped together.
This political reality could challenge his plans, such as a vow to reduce public spending by billions within 18 months—a plan for which he has yet to offered concrete steps.
"We have several things about how a Kast presidency will operate that are uncertain because he has not explained the way he will implement them," commented a political professor.
The professor continued, "Regarding the economy, it is highly probable we will see adjustment measures associated with the right. However the area with considerably less ambiguity is on public safety, because that has been his flagship issue during the campaign."
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