José Antonio Kast of the far-right Republican Get together was elected president of Chile final month in a 58%-to-42% rout of rival Jeannette Jara, the Communist Get together standard-bearer.
Campaigning on a promise to expel undocumented migrants and crack down on crime, Kast completed second to Jara within the first spherical of elections however dominated the runoff.
“Right here, an individual didn’t win, a political occasion didn’t win,” Kast mentioned in his victory speech. “Chile gained. The hope of dwelling with out worry gained. We’re going to face very tough occasions, the place we should make essential choices, and that requires a cohesive crew.”
Kast, 59, promised to carry order again to the streets.
A member of the Chamber of Deputies for 16 years, he based the Republican Get together in 2019. He ran for president two years prior, receiving 8% of the vote, and picked up 44% in 2021, when he ran in opposition to Gabriel Boric.
Along with his election, Chile joins Ecuador and Bolivia in what seems to be a right-wing shift in Latin American politics. Honduras may add a fourth domino to the pile ought to Honduras’s Nasry Asfura be confirmed as winner of final month’s disputed election.
Together with expelling undocumented immigrants, Kast has promised to extend police sources and deploy the navy to violent areas. Public debt was anticipated to succeed in 42.2% of GDP by the top of 2025. To carry down that determine, Kast says he’ll implement austerity measures that embody reducing $6 billion in public spending over 18 months.
Kast has additionally promised to dwell within the Palacio de La Moneda, the normal seat of the president—the primary time a president will dwell there since 1958.
Plans to spice up funding with decrease taxes and fewer rules goal to enhance Chile’s GDP development to 4% yearly, up from 2.6% in 2024. This can require negotiation with Congress, the place the fitting wing holds a majority, however will nonetheless require center-left votes, particularly within the Senate. “Chile goes to have actual change, which you’ll start to understand quickly,” Kast predicted. “There are not any magic options right here. Issues don’t change in a single day. This requires a number of unity, dedication, and lots of sacrifices from everybody.”
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