Overview
- José Antonio Kast won the runoff by about 16 points, taking 58.2% to Jeannette Jara’s 41.8% for the 2026–2030 term.
- He campaigned on mass deportations, tougher anti-crime measures, sharp fiscal cuts of roughly $6 billion, opening lithium to private investors, and a partial privatization of Codelco.
- Analysts say he lacks a clear parliamentary majority, so key security and immigration measures will require coalition-building and could meet judicial resistance.
- Kast has praised Augusto Pinochet, and reporting indicates he has suggested he might seek releases for some former regime officials imprisoned for human rights crimes.
- Chile’s result strengthens a broader regional move to the right that analysts tie to economic strain, rising insecurity, and migration pressures, with some expecting closer alignment with U.S. policy priorities.