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After a definitive final ballot, far-right politician José Antonio Kast has won the presidential office in Chile.

A Commanding Victory

After more than 99% of ballots counted, Kast secured 58.17% of the vote, defeating leftist candidate Jeannette Jara, who earned 41.83%.

This marks Kast's third attempt at the presidency, having previously been lost by the incumbent president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 final vote.

Campaign Focused On Security and Immigration

Known for his staunch socially conservative views and admiration for the rule of former leader Augusto Pinochet, Kast's platform was primarily centered on promises to address rising violence and drastically restrict immigration.

He repeatedly blamed migrants, particularly the roughly 330,000 illegal individuals in Chile, for crime rates. During the race, he gave an stern warning for them to exit before the inauguration or face deportation.

His plans envisioned Trump-inspired measures such as constructing holding facilities, barriers, electric fences, and strengthening the military presence on the northernmost frontier.

Within a Regional Wave

Several commentators interpret Kast's success as fitting into a wider right-wing shift in South America, coming after recent political results in nations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Yet, other experts additionally describe it as a continuation of the regular swing of power between left-wing and right administrations since Chile's establishment of democracy in 1990.

Governing Lacking a Strong Majority

In spite of his decisive popular vote triumph, Kast is not expected to have an overall majority in Congress, neither in the lower house or the Senate, even when various rightwing parties are grouped together.

This political reality may challenge his plans, including a pledge to cut public spending by billions within 18 months—a proposal for which he has yet to offered specifics.

"There are numerous things about how a Kast government will operate that we don't know because he has not said how he will achieve them," commented a political science professor.

The expert continued, "In terms of fiscal matters, it is highly probable we will see spending cuts associated with the right. But the area with far less ambiguity is on public safety, because that has been his workhorse across the campaign."