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In a decisive runoff election, far-right candidate José Antonio Kast has secured the presidential office in Chile.

A Resounding Victory

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

This signifies Kast's third attempt at the presidency, having earlier been beaten by the incumbent president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 second round.

Platform Built On Security and Migration

Noted for his staunch Catholic views and admiration for the period of former leader Augusto Pinochet, Kast's electoral bid was mostly centered on promises to address rising violence and significantly reduce immigration.

He frequently cited migrants, particularly the around 330,000 illegal individuals in Chile, for security issues. Throughout the campaign, he gave an stern warning for them to depart before the new term begins or face removal.

His proposals featured U.S.-style measures such as erecting holding facilities, border walls, security fences, and bolstering the army presence on the northernmost border.

Within a Regional Trend

Many commentators see Kast's victory as aligning with a broader right-wing wave in South America, coming after recent political results in nations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Yet, other experts also view it as a extension of the predictable swing of power between left and right-wing administrations since Chile's return to democracy in 1990.

Leading Lacking a Strong Mandate

In spite of his clear electoral triumph, Kast is not expected to have an clear majority in the legislature, not in the Chamber of Deputies nor the Senate, even when various right-leaning parties are counted together.

This legislative situation might complicate his policy goals, such as a promise to cut public spending by a significant sum within 18 months—a plan for which he has yet to provided specifics.

"We have many questions about what a Kast presidency will be that we don't know because he has not explained his methods for do them," noted a political science professor.

The professor added, "Regarding the economy, it is almost certain we will see spending cuts common for the right. However where there is considerably less doubt is on law and order, because that has been his flagship issue across the race."