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After a definitive second-round vote, hardline figure José Antonio Kast has won the top job in Chile.

A Resounding Triumph

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

This signifies Kast's third attempt at the presidency, having in the past been lost by the sitting president, Gabriel Boric, in the 2021 final vote.

Agenda Focused On Law and Order and Immigration

Known for his staunch socially conservative views and praise for the rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Kast's electoral bid was mostly built on promises to address increasing crime and significantly reduce migration.

He frequently blamed migrants, particularly the around 330,000 unauthorized individuals in Chile, for security issues. Throughout the campaign, he gave an ultimatum for them to leave before the inauguration or face removal.

His plans envisioned Trump-inspired measures such as constructing holding facilities, border walls, perimeter fencing, and strengthening the military presence on the northernmost frontier.

Part of a Broader Trend

Numerous analysts interpret Kast's success as aligning with a broader right-wing trend in the region, similar to recent electoral outcomes in nations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Yet, other analysts additionally describe it as a continuation of the regular swing of power between left and right-wing governments since Chile's transition to democracy in 1990.

Governing Without a Clear Mandate

In spite of his decisive electoral triumph, Kast is not expected to hold an clear majority in the legislature, neither in the Chamber of Deputies or the Senate, even when various rightwing parties are grouped together.

This legislative reality may challenge his policy goals, including a pledge to slash public spending by billions within a year and a half—a proposal for which he has yet to offered concrete steps.

"We have numerous things about what a Kast administration will be that we don't know because he has not detailed his methods for achieve them," said a political science analyst.

The analyst added, "In terms of fiscal matters, it is highly probable we will see spending cuts associated with the right. But where there is far less uncertainty is on law and order, because that has been his central theme throughout the campaign."