Chilean far-right presidential candidate José Antonio Kast Rist is seeking the presidency of the South American country for a third time with a platform promising a "tough hand" against crime, irregular migration, and a reduction of the state. Polls suggest Kast has a strong chance to advance to a potential runoff election scheduled for this Sunday.
To attract moderate voters, Kast has remained silent on social issues, setting aside previous banners opposing abortion, same-sex marriage, and adoption by homosexual couples. "He now has a very interesting voter profile, because it is not the traditional right-wing voter, but an emerging middle class that is discontent and has improved its economic expectations through personal effort rather than public policies," political analyst Mario Herrera told Xinhua news agency.
The conservative directly links migration to crime and organized crime, proposing to block unauthorized border crossings with barriers and surveillance drones, as well as mass deportations of undocumented foreigners, who were recently asked to pay for their own transportation.
Under the slogan "The Strength of Change," Kast's program promises to boost economic growth with a smaller state role, cut public spending, and reduce corporate taxes.
"The third time is the charm," Kast said on Wednesday evening to more than 10,000 supporters at the closing rally of his electoral campaign.
