His rival Jara ran from the center-left with welfare pledges, but Kast framed immigration and crime as the defining issues for voters.

Kast signals a nuanced foreign policy: closer ties with the United States and Western partners while keeping China as a major trading partner.

Chile elected a hard-right president, José Antonio Kast, with about 58% of the vote, promising a sharp crackdown on crime and immigration.

Kast’s victory fits a regional pattern of radical-right gains, mirroring shifts in Bolivia, Honduras, and Argentina under Javier Milei, signaling a broader turn from left to right.

Kast’s governance likely faces a divided Congress, which could limit his hardline proposals and push toward negotiation or symbolic wins.

Economically, Kast proposes cutting public spending, shrinking the state, lowering corporate taxes, and relaxing labor rules, though experts question feasibility and impact on services.

Centrist voters feel unrepresented by both candidates, with some favoring a blank ballot in a mandatory voting system.

Voter polarization remains high as security and economic concerns drive support for strong, rapid change.

Rallies reflected broad concerns about safety and policy direction, with supporters prioritizing crime reduction and strict borders and opponents warning of authoritarian risks.

Critics argue Boric’s presidency failed to fully deliver on public services and address organized crime, setting the stage for Kast’s critiques.

Migrants play roles in key sectors like fruit harvesting and services, complicating potential deportation policies given business reliance on migrant labor.

Analysts warn Kast’s approach could push toward illiberal democracy, weakening democracy and the rule of law similar to trends in other countries.