The political pendulum in Santiago swung decisively to the conservative hardline on Sunday night, as voters delivered a commanding mandate to the Republican Party leader to restore public order and overhaul Chile's economy.
José Antonio Kast has been elected Chile’s next president, claiming a resounding victory over his left-wing rival.
With 99.8% of ballot boxes counted, the electoral service (Servel) confirmed that Mr Kast had secured 58.1% of the vote compared to 41.9% for Jeannette Jara, the candidate for the governing left-wing coalition.
The result represents a seismic alteration in the Andean nation’s political landscape, marking the most significant shift to the right since the restoration of democracy in 1990 following the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet.
The 59-year-old lawyer and former congressman, who leads the right-wing Partido Republicano, will take office on the 11th of March, succeeding the outgoing administration.
Mr Kast’s victory appears to be a direct rebuke of the previous government's handling of the economy and a worsening public security crisis. Throughout a heated campaign, Kast emphasised a "zero tolerance" approach to crime, stricter migration controls in the north, and a shrinking of the state apparatus—a message that resonated with a middle class weary of inflation and uncertainty.
"Today, Chile has chosen peace over violence, and order over chaos," Mr Kast told thousands of supporters gathered in the affluent Las Condes district of Santiago.
Defeat for the Left
Ms Jara, a former Minister of Labour known for her trade union background, conceded defeat early in the evening. She called for the protection of social rights gained over the last decade but acknowledged the "undeniable will" of the electorate.
"The people have spoken, and we must respect their decision, even if it diverges sharply from our vision for the country," Jara stated from her campaign headquarters.
Regional trend
Kast’s ascent confirms a growing "Blue Tide" across Latin America, where voters are increasingly turning to right-wing populists in response to economic stagnation and perceived lawlessness. International observers have drawn parallels between Kast and other conservative figures in the Americas, noting his socially conservative stance on marriage and reproductive rights.
Challenges ahead
Despite the landslide margin, the President-elect faces a complex road ahead. He will inherit a deeply divided National Congress, where no single coalition holds a supermajority.
Political analysts suggest Kast will be forced to negotiate with centre-right factions and moderate independents to pass his legislative programme. Without building bridges in the legislature, his ambitious plans for tax cuts and administrative reform may face immediate gridlock.
Markets reacted positively to the news in early trading, with the Chilean peso strengthening against the U.S. dollar, signalling investor relief at the return of a pro-business administration.
Cuba’s fuel crisis has turned into a waste crisis, with garbage piling up on most street corners in Havana as many collection trucks lack enough pet...
Jordan’s King Abdullah II warned on Monday that what he described as “illegal” Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank risk undermining de-es...
Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor renowned for his steely intensity and commanding performances in films including The Godfather and Apocalypse N...
Day 10 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered high-stakes semifinals, dramatic finishes and classic podium moments across Milan and the ...
Geneva is set to host two sets of negotiations on Tuesday, with U.S. officials meeting Iranian representatives in the morning and a trilateral session...
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in two southern regions of country on Sunday as raging wildfires forced at least 20,000 people to evacuate and left at least 19 people dead.
World leaders and organisations have responded strongly to the United States’ military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture and departure of President Nicolás Maduro. Many condemn the action as a breach of international law and calling for restraint and peaceful resolution.
Far-right Republican Party candidate Jose Antonio Kast has won Chile’s presidential runoff election, official results showed, defeating Communist Party contender and former labour minister Jeannette Jara. Kast secured more than 58% of the vote, while Jara received around 42%.
Peru will declare a state of emergency along its border with Chile, President José Jerí said on Friday, as migrants seek to cross into the country following a Chilean presidential frontrunner's vow to expel undocumented migrants.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said China has the power to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, arguing that Beijing is enabling Moscow’s military campaign.
Austria’s Janine Flock won the gold medal in the women’s skeleton event at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said the United States could evaluate its own interests separately from those of Israel in ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (15 February) called it “troubling” a report by five European allies blaming Russia for killing late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny using a toxin from poison dart frogs.
Israel’s National Guard is preparing to deploy drones capable of firing tear gas at Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as part of security preparations ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Israeli Channel 12 reported on Saturday.
The Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced on 16 February that the Honourable Janice Charette has been appointed as the next Chief Trade Negotiator to the United States.
Cuba’s fuel crisis has turned into a waste crisis, with garbage piling up on most street corners in Havana as many collection trucks lack enough petrol to operate.
Day 10 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered high-stakes semifinals, dramatic finishes and classic podium moments across Milan and the Italian Alps. Photographers captured split seconds of symmetry before puck drops, explosive turns on the ice and triumphant celebrations.
The mother and widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny marked the second anniversary of his death on Monday, as European allies released an assessment saying he was poisoned, adding that the Russian state had the means, motive and opportunity to deploy the lethal toxin.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is ready to pursue diplomacy with Iran as nuclear talks resume in Geneva, using a visit to Budapest on Monday (16 January) to reaffirm both U.S. negotiating aims and strong ties with Hungary ahead of its April election.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment