With nearly all votes counted on Sunday, Kast secured 58 percent of the vote, defeating former labour minister Jeannette Jara, a Communist Party politician who ran on behalf of the ruling centre-left coalition.
By Owoseni Martins
Far-right candidate José Antonio Kast has won the runoff election to become Chile’s 38th president, unseating the centre-left government currently in power.
With nearly all votes counted on Sunday, Kast secured 58 percent of the vote, defeating former labour minister Jeannette Jara, a Communist Party politician who ran on behalf of the ruling centre-left coalition.
Jara and her Unity for Chile coalition conceded defeat shortly after polls closed in the South American nation.
“Democracy has spoken clearly. I have just spoken with President-elect [Kast] to wish him every success for the good of Chile,” Jara wrote on social media.
She added: “To everyone who supported us and believed in our candidacy, know that we will continue working to build a better life for our country. United and resolute, as we have always been.”
Kast, for his part, described the outcome as a “broad mandate” to pursue his political agenda during a victory speech to supporters.
“This is not a personal victory or a party victory,” he said. “Chile has won with the hope of living without fear and of building a country that works.”
The result represents the latest far-right success in Latin America, where a wave of right-wing leaders once seen as political outsiders has risen to power in countries such as Argentina and Ecuador.
The result also represents a major comeback for Kast, the 59-year-old leader of the Republican Party. The 2025 race was his third attempt at the presidency and his first victory.
Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
KoikiMedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep