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Following a conclusive second-round vote, far-right figure José Antonio Kast has clinched the presidential office in Chile.

A Clear-Cut Win

After over 99% of polling stations reporting, Kast secured 58.17% of the vote, beating leftist candidate Jeannette Jara, who received 41.83%.

This represents Kast's third attempt at the presidency, having earlier been defeated by the incumbent president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 second round.

Agenda Built On Law and Order and Migration

Recognized for his unwavering socially conservative views and admiration for the era of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's campaign was primarily centered on promises to address increasing insecurity and drastically curb migration.

He consistently pointed to foreigners, especially the approximately 330,000 undocumented individuals in Chile, for public safety problems. During the campaign, he gave an final demand for them to depart before the March 11 handover or face expulsion.

His plans included controversial measures such as erecting camps, high walls, perimeter fencing, and strengthening the military presence on the northernmost frontier.

Amid a Broader Wave

Many observers see Kast's victory as fitting into a broader conservative trend in Latin America, following this year's political outcomes in countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

However, other analysts also frame it as a part of the predictable alternation of power between left and right-wing administrations since Chile's establishment of democracy in 1990.

Leading Lacking a Solid Mandate

Despite his clear popular vote win, Kast does not have an absolute majority in Congress, neither in the Chamber of Deputies nor the Senate, even if all right-leaning parties are grouped together.

This legislative reality could hinder his plans, such as a promise to reduce public spending by billions within 18 months—a measure for which he has not detailed concrete steps.

"We have several things about what a Kast presidency will operate that we don't know because he has not explained how he will achieve them," noted a political science analyst.

The analyst continued, "In terms of fiscal matters, it is very likely we will see austerity policies typical of the right. However the area with far less doubt is on security policy, because that has been his central theme across the race."