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In a decisive second-round vote, hardline politician José Antonio Kast has secured the presidential office in Chile.

A Resounding Win

After more than 99% of votes tallied, Kast garnered 58.17% of the votes, defeating leftist candidate Jeannette Jara, who received 41.83%.

This signifies Kast's third presidency, having in the past been defeated by the incumbent president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 final vote.

Agenda Built On Security and Immigration

Known for his strong socially conservative views and praise for the period of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's campaign was largely centered on promises to address increasing crime and significantly restrict migration.

He consistently pointed to immigrants, particularly the around 330,000 unauthorized individuals in Chile, for security issues. Throughout the race, he gave an final demand for them to leave before the inauguration or face deportation.

His plans included controversial measures such as constructing holding facilities, high walls, electric fences, and strengthening the armed forces presence on the northernmost border.

Part of a Regional Shift

Several observers see Kast's success as fitting into a broader rightward wave in the region, coming after recent political results in nations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Yet, other experts further view it as a continuation of the regular alternation of power between left and right-wing leadership since Chile's return to democracy in 1990.

Governing Lacking a Strong Majority

In spite of his clear electoral win, Kast will not have an clear majority in the legislature, not in the lower house nor the Senate, even when various rightwing parties are counted together.

This political landscape might complicate his policy goals, such as a promise to slash public spending by a significant sum within 18 months—a plan for which he has not offered a clear explanation.

"We have many aspects about how a Kast administration will operate that we don't know because he has not explained his methods for do them," said a political science professor.

The analyst added, "Regarding fiscal matters, it is almost certain we will see austerity policies associated with the right-wing. However where there is far less ambiguity is on public safety, because that has been his central theme throughout the campaign."