Ultraconservative Kast wins election in Chile

TT

Updated 07.08 | Published 2025-12-14 23.46

 

Jose Antonio Kast at the ballot box earlier on Sunday. Photo: Matias Delacroix/AP/TT

Right-wing candidate José Antonio Kast emerges victorious in Chile's presidential election. The left-wing coalition has conceded defeat, writes the AP news agency.

With almost all votes counted, Kast had support of around 58 percent.

That was enough for the left-wing coalition and candidate Jeannette Jara to admit defeat.

Kast is described as an ultraconservative and the most right-leaning presidential candidate since the brutal dictator Augusto Pinochet left power. Kast has also defended Pinochet.

Among other things, Kast has gone to the polls to deport more than 300,000 immigrants and close the border in the north.