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In a decisive final ballot, hardline figure José Antonio Kast has clinched the presidency in Chile.

A Commanding Victory

After over 99% of polling stations reporting, Kast garnered 58.17% of the ballots, overcoming leftist contender Jeannette Jara, who obtained 41.83%.

This signifies Kast's third presidency, having previously been lost by the sitting president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 runoff.

Platform Built On Security and Immigration

Known for his unwavering Catholic views and praise for the rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's platform was primarily centered on promises to combat increasing violence and drastically reduce immigration.

He repeatedly blamed immigrants, especially the approximately 330,000 unauthorized individuals in Chile, for security issues. Throughout the campaign, he delivered an ultimatum for them to depart before the March 11 handover or face expulsion.

His policy ideas featured controversial measures such as building detention centers, high walls, perimeter fencing, and bolstering the military presence on the northern frontier.

Part of a Broader Shift

Numerous observers view Kast's victory as fitting into a broader conservative trend in South America, coming after this year's political results in countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Nevertheless, other experts also view it as a continuation of the established rotation of power between left and right governments since Chile's return to democracy in 1990.

Ruling Without a Solid Mandate

In spite of his sweeping popular vote win, Kast is not expected to command an clear majority in parliament, not in the lower house nor the Senate, even when all conservative parties are counted together.

This legislative reality may hinder his plans, such as a pledge to reduce public spending by billions within a year and a half—a measure for which he has yet to offered a clear explanation.

"There are many things about how a Kast presidency will be that are uncertain because he has not explained how he will do them," commented a political science analyst.

The expert added, "Regarding the economy, it is highly probable we will see spending cuts typical of the right-wing. However the area with much less doubt is on security policy, because that has been his flagship issue during the race."