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Chile Elects José Antonio Kast in Decisive Runoff

The law‑and‑order conservative faces a divided Congress, foreshadowing tough negotiations to enact his security‑first program.

Overview

  • With about 58.3% of the vote, Kast won the presidential runoff as Jeannette Jara conceded, according to Chile’s electoral authority.
  • Kast centered his campaign on combating crime and irregular migration, pledging mass deportations, tougher borders, new prisons and greater use of security forces.
  • He promotes pro‑market measures to revive growth, including corporate tax cuts, sharp reductions in public spending and deregulation.
  • Analysts describe the result as Chile’s sharpest rightward turn since the end of military rule, reflecting voter anxiety over security, migration and a sluggish economy.
  • Kast takes office on March 11, 2026, lacks a majority in either chamber, and received swift congratulations from figures such as Argentina’s Javier Milei and Marco Rubio.