Overview
- Electoral authorities reported just over 58% for Kast to nearly 42% for Jeannette Jara in the December 14 runoff, the first held under mandatory voting with automatic registration.
- Kast advanced by centering crime and immigration and by softening some rhetoric in the final weeks, including recasting mass expulsions and downplaying absolute opposition to abortion.
- His program features tougher policing, super-secure prisons, an ICE-style migration force, deep spending cuts and deregulation across key sectors.
- Passing major measures will be difficult because Congress is divided, the Senate is evenly split and the lower house hinges on a populist swing bloc.
- Investor sentiment has improved on expectations of looser regulation in a top copper and major lithium producer, lifting local equities.