# Chile Elects Far-Right José Antonio Kast as Next President
**José Antonio Kast**, a conservative lawyer and leader of Chile’s Republican Party, has won the 2025 presidential election, securing **59.16% of the vote** in the December 14 runoff against leftist candidate Jeannette Jara.[1][2] This victory marks Chile’s sharpest **rightward political shift** since the end of Pinochet’s dictatorship in 1990, driven by voter concerns over crime, migration, and economic instability.[2]
Kast, born in 1966 and known by his initials **JAK**, finished second in the first round on November 16 with nearly **24% of the vote**, advancing to face Jara after endorsements from right-wing rivals like Evelyn Matthei and Johannes Kaiser.[1] Jara conceded as results showed over 57% of ballots counted, with Kast’s margin reflecting widespread frustration with the left-leaning government of Gabriel Boric.[1][2]
## Kast’s Political Journey: From Outsider to Front-Runner
Kast first ran for president in 2017 as an independent, earning **7.93%** (523,213 votes) and placing fourth despite low polls.[1] He founded the **Republican Action Movement** (later the Republican Party) in 2018, positioning himself as a defender of traditional values and law-and-order policies.[1]
In 2021, Kast led the first round but lost the runoff to Boric **44.13% to 55.87%**, becoming the first candidate since 1999 to win the initial vote yet fall short in the second.[1] He pledged “constructive collaboration” post-defeat, building a base through pacts like the Christian Social Front and alliances with center-right groups such as Chile Vamos for the Constitutional Convention.[1]
For 2025, the Republican Party nominated Kast outright in November 2024, skipping primaries with Chile Vamos.[1] He registered his campaign in August 2025 under the slogan **”La fuerza del cambio”** (“The Strength of Change”), emphasizing **institutional renewal, public order, and economic recovery**.[1] Kast moderated his image, praising reformist ex-president **Patricio Aylwin** and gaining support from social-democratic sectors—echoing the 2022 constitutional referendum’s “Reject” coalition success.[1]
His team, led by lawyer Cristián Valenzuela, forged ties across conservative groups, helping Kast outpace Matthei, who finished fifth.[1]
## Campaign Promises: Hardline on Crime and Borders
Kast’s platform tapped into public fears. He pledged to **build border walls**, **deploy the military to high-crime areas**, and **deport all illegal migrants**—policies resonating amid rising violence and immigration debates.[2] A longtime **hardliner**, Kast supports banning abortion, merging the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality, exiting the UN Human Rights Council, and expanding prisons.[1]
Controversy swirled around his defense of Pinochet-era figures, including proposals to pardon convicts over 80 with age-related illnesses, even those convicted of human rights violations.[1] Despite backlash, these stances bolstered his appeal among voters prioritizing security over historical grievances.[2]
## A Regional Right-Wing Wave
Kast’s win aligns Chile with a **resurgent right** across Latin America. He joins leaders like **Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa**, **El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele**, and **Argentina’s Javier Milei**, who emphasize tough anti-crime and pro-market agendas.[2] In Bolivia, centrist **Rodrigo Paz** recently ended two decades of socialist dominance.[2]
Analysts predict Kast’s presidency could usher in **market-friendly reforms**, stabilizing Chile’s economy after Boric’s turbulent term.[1] His pragmatic pivot—balancing hardline rhetoric with centrist nods—proved key against Jara’s progressive platform.[1]
## What Kast’s Victory Means for Chile
Chile’s electorate, weary of post-2019 protests and Boric’s unfulfilled promises, delivered a mandate for change. Kast’s triumph ends left-wing hopes for continuity, with Jara’s **40.84%** underscoring polarization.[2]
**Key policy shifts** loom:
– **Security**: Military deployment and deportations to curb crime and migration.[2]
– **Economy**: Focus on recovery, potentially attracting investment.[1]
– **Social issues**: Stricter stances on abortion and gender policies.[1]
Critics warn of authoritarian echoes from Kast’s Pinochet sympathies, but supporters hail his democratic credentials—he led the first-round vote twice without victory until now.[1] As president-elect, Kast must govern a divided nation, navigating Congress and potential protests.
Internationally, his election signals Latin America’s conservative tide, challenging left-populist models.[2] Markets reacted positively, anticipating stability.[1]
Kast assumes office amid high stakes. His ability to deliver on **public order** and **growth** will define his legacy, while bridging divides remains crucial.[1][2]
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Original source: BBC News – Chile elects far-right José Antonio Kast as next president