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Chile’s Dramatic Shift: The Election of Jose Antonio Kast 


On December 16, the Civitas One team attended the Atlantic Council event “What Lies Ahead for Chile’s New President,” moderated by Jason Marczak, Vice President and Senior Director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. The panel featured Cristina Bitar, Senior Partner and President of Azerta Chile; Patricio Navia, Clinical Professor at the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies; and Christian Stewart, Executive Director of IdeaPais and an Atlantic Council Millennium Leadership Fellow.


Chile’s presidential runoff produced a decisive victory for ultra-conservative José Antonio Kast, signaling a shift in the country’s political direction. As highlighted in the Atlantic Council discussion, the result reflects not an ideological realignment but widespread public frustration with insecurity, economic stagnation, and institutional gridlock, alongside a continued commitment to moderation and democratic norms.


Jose Antonio Kast via CNN via Raul Raul Bravo/AFP/Getty Images
Jose Antonio Kast via CNN via Raul Raul Bravo/AFP/Getty Images

Kast’s victory took 58% of the vote over opponent Jeannette Jara’s 42%. This election makes Kast the second right-wing president elected since Chilean’s release from dictatorship in 1990. 


Voting for Change 


According to Navia, Kast’s victory is conducive to a longer patter, rather than a sudden ideological turn. “Chileans have been voting for change for a while now,” Navia explained, noting that an alternation of power is not uncommon and incumbents are typically favored. This election served as a chance for Chileans to reshape political priorities. 


Security Baseline 


Crime, violence, and insecurity concerns dominated the discussion as the defining drivers of Kast’s appeal. Migration, Navia adds, has become an inseparable factor from these concerns. The panel argued that reframing matters. When security becomes the baseline expectation of governance, all other policy debates become subordinate. Voters are unwilling to entertain long-term agendas if they feel unsafe in their daily lives. 


Kast’s success reflects his ability to present himself as a restorative figure promising to reassert state authority rather than redefine the social contract. 


“Emergency Government”


Stewart noted that markets reacted well ahead of election day, reflecting on anticipation rather than surprise. With markets “booming in Chile,” Stewart indicated a strengthening peso and rising stock index as indicators of investor confidence. 


Kast has described his administration as a sort of “emergency government.” One that is focused on security, economic growth, and state capacity. Stewart emphasized that this framing resonates both domestically and internationally. Kast has decided to make Argentina his first foreign destination to illustrate economic pragmatism. Bitar expanded on this idea and the substance of his agenda. She highlighted proposals to reduce corporate taxes, incentivize formal employment, and streamline permitting processes. 


Young Voters 


Marczak asked Stweart about the stance of young cohorts and if Kast was able to appeal to them. Stewart explained younger Chileans cannot afford housing, raising children, or higher education. In response, Kast proposed solutions to base concerns, in his campaign. Especially prevalent amongst young men, Kast’s message resonated less as an ideological project and more as a rejection of the political status quo. However, the panelists stressed that this support is conditional as there is widespread skepticism toward political elites held by those under 35. 


U.S.-Chile Relations 


Navia argued that Kast seeks closer political alignment with Washington, especially while under the current administration. The symbolism has already shifted with public congratulations from President Trump and Secretary Rubio. However, the panelists argue that China’s role complicates realignment. As Chile’s most important trading partner, it is apparent good relations are kept. Bitar posed a question of competitiveness regarding “whether this government makes Chile more competitive for U.S. investment.” Such a determination will be made possible by policy reforms. 


Conclusion 


The durability of Kast’s presidency will hinge on whether he can translate urgency into results, without eroding institutional guardrails. Security policies will be the first and most visible test. However, economic confidence, coalition building, and upholding of democratic norms will ultimately shape public judgement in the long run. 


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