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After a definitive second-round vote, hardline candidate José Antonio Kast has won the presidency in Chile.

A Resounding Triumph

After over 99% of votes tallied, Kast won 58.17% of the ballots, defeating leftist contender Jeannette Jara, who earned 41.83%.

This signifies Kast's third bid for the presidency, having previously been beaten by the current president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 second round.

Agenda Focused On Security and Migration

Known for his staunch socially conservative views and regard for the rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's campaign was largely built on promises to combat increasing violence and radically reduce migration.

He consistently cited foreigners, notably the roughly 330,000 illegal individuals in Chile, for public safety problems. Throughout the campaign, he delivered an ultimatum for them to exit before the March 11 handover or face expulsion.

His proposals featured U.S.-style measures such as building camps, barriers, security fences, and strengthening the armed forces presence on the northern border.

Part of a Continental Trend

Many observers see Kast's win as aligning with a broader conservative shift in Latin America, following this year's electoral outcomes in nations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

However, other pundits also frame it as a part of the regular alternation of power between left-wing and right governments since Chile's return to democracy in 1990.

Governing Without a Clear Mandate

Despite his sweeping electoral win, Kast is not expected to command an overall majority in Congress, not in the Chamber of Deputies or the Senate, even when various rightwing parties are combined together.

This political reality might hinder his plans, including a vow to cut public spending by $6 billion within 18 months—a proposal for which he has not provided specifics.

"There are many aspects about what a Kast administration will look like that are uncertain because he has not detailed the way he will implement them," commented a political science analyst.

The expert stated, "On fiscal matters, it is very likely we will see austerity policies common for the right. However where there is much less uncertainty is on security policy, because that has been his flagship issue throughout the campaign."