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José Antonio Kast Wins Chilean Presidency With About 60% in Runoff

He now faces a Congress with no majority for his party.

Overview

  • Official tallies from Chile’s Electoral Service show Kast defeating Jeannette Jara roughly 60% to 40%, and Jara conceded.
  • Kast campaigned on mass deportations of undocumented migrants, sharp near‑term spending cuts and expanded military and police powers to confront organized crime.
  • Public concern over crime and irregular migration dominated the race, with security polling as the top issue as compulsory voting brought an electorate of about 16 million eligible citizens.
  • The Republican Party does not control Congress, meaning Kast will need agreements with other parties, which could constrain or reshape his proposals.
  • The result extends a regional turn toward law‑and‑order leadership, and marks Kast’s first successful bid after two previous runs, with inauguration due in March 2026.