The leader of the Chilean far-right, José Antonio Kast, has become president of Chile in his third attempt. With a speech focused on a 'hard line' against crime and irregular immigration, coupled with the promise of a significant reduction of the state, the candidate won the runoff this Sunday. Kast, 59, is a lawyer and founder of the Republican Party of Chile (2019). He settled in Paine, where he developed businesses in the meat and real estate sectors, as well as forays into politics. Electoral history This Sunday's process marks his third presidential attempt: 2017: He ran as an independent, obtaining 7.9% of the vote and finishing in fourth place. 2021: He led the republican faction, winning the majority in the first round with 27.9% of the vote, but was defeated in the runoff by the current progressive leader, Gabriel Boric. 2025: He reached the runoff and defeated Jeannette Jara. Security and economy platform Under the slogan 'The strength of change,' Kast's program focuses on two pillars: Security: It seeks to address the high level of concern about crime, directly linking the migratory phenomenon with organized crime. His proposals include blocking unauthorized border crossings with barriers and drones, and the massive expulsion of undocumented foreigners. Economy: He promises to boost growth with less state participation, cutting public spending and corporate taxes. To woo moderate voters, Kast has silenced controversial values issues he had previously defended, such as opposition to abortion or same-sex marriage. Political analyst Mario Herrera told Xinhua that the candidate has achieved 'a voter profile that is very interesting,' as it is not the traditional right-wing voter, but an emerging and discontented middle class that values personal effort above public policies. His career began in the right-wing Independent Democratic Union (UDI), a party linked to supporters of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship. He served as a deputy for four consecutive terms until 2018. Political and family evolution Historically identified as an ultra-conservative, the emergence of figures like libertarian candidate Johannes Kaiser has repositioned Kast in public perception, bringing him closer to a more moderate right-wing stance. Kast is the youngest of 10 siblings. His family immigrated to Chile in 1950, after World War II, and his father was a member of the Nazi Party in Germany.
