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Following a conclusive second-round vote, ultra-conservative candidate José Antonio Kast has clinched the presidency in Chile.

A Clear-Cut Triumph

With over 99% of ballots counted, Kast won 58.17% of the votes, overcoming leftist candidate Jeannette Jara, who received 41.83%.

This represents Kast's third bid for the presidency, having previously been beaten by the incumbent president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 runoff.

Agenda Centered On Security and Migration

Known for his strong socially conservative views and admiration for the era of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's electoral bid was largely built on promises to tackle rising crime and significantly curb migration.

He repeatedly blamed migrants, notably the around 330,000 unauthorized individuals in Chile, for crime rates. Throughout the campaign, he issued an ultimatum for them to exit before the March 11 handover or face expulsion.

His policy ideas envisioned Trump-inspired measures such as constructing holding facilities, high walls, perimeter fencing, and bolstering the armed forces presence on the northernmost frontier.

Part of a Continental Wave

Numerous observers see Kast's victory as part of a broader rightward shift in South America, coming after this year's electoral wins in nations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Yet, other experts further describe it as a continuation of the regular rotation of power between left-wing and right-wing administrations since Chile's transition to democracy in 1990.

Ruling Lacking a Solid Mandate

In spite of his decisive electoral win, Kast does not hold an absolute majority in Congress, not in the lower house or the Senate, even if various conservative parties are grouped together.

This legislative situation may hinder his agenda, such as a pledge to slash public spending by a significant sum within a year and a half—a measure for which he has yet to offered concrete steps.

"We have many things about what a Kast presidency will look like that are uncertain because he has not said the way he will implement them," noted a political expert.

The expert added, "In terms of economic policy, it is very likely we will see adjustment measures common for the right. But the area with considerably less doubt is on security policy, because that has been his flagship issue throughout the race."