Right-wing populist Kast to be Chile's new president
José Antonio Kast has won the runoff election for the Chilean presidency. The right-wing populist secured just over 58 percent of the vote, leaving his communist rival Jeannette Jara trailing behind with around 42 percent. Commentators discuss what the new president's ultra-conservative views portend for the country.
The dictator would be thrilled
In a guest commentary for La Repubblica, the writer Ariel Dorfman says he sees Augusto Pinochet smiling in his grave:
“A great admirer of his, the far-right fanatic José Antonio Kast, has just been elected president with 58 percent of the vote. … It is true that Kast's victory should not be interpreted as a popular endorsement of his veneration of Pinochet. His programme appealed to an angry, confused population yearning for radical change: the promise to deport all 330,000 undocumented immigrants and to crack down on crime and drug trafficking. … In a country whose victorious struggle for democracy over the last half century has been a source of inspiration for the entire world, this is particularly worrying.”
Perhaps just a pragmatist
El Mundo recommends that Kast focus on strengthening democracy and peaceful coexistence:
“The overwhelming victory is a rebuke for the ruling left in one of Latin America's richest countries, and confirms the rightward shift that Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela and Honduras have experienced since 2023. ... In his campaign speech, Kast focused on the 'real problems' of Chileans: the cost of living, immigration, and crime. With this positioning, he comes closer to Giorgia Meloni's pragmatism. ... After a campaign marked by intense polarisation, the new president now has the opportunity to govern in the interest of all Chileans and with respect for the rule of law. ... Radical and sectarian policies would undermine democracy and social harmony.”
Defend democratic coexistence now
El País calls for vigilance:
“Recognition of the far-reaching implications of this election result should not be confused with resignation. ... The transparent election process, the swift acceptance of the result and respect for constitutional norms are all signs of civic stability. ... Nevertheless, the disquiet this change is causing cannot be ignored. ... Kast's ambivalent connection to the Pinochet dictatorship fuels doubts about his democratic principles and his government's priorities. ... Chile is not doomed to repeat cycles. ... However, this election victory should be seen as a call to all political actors to realign their priorities: to defend democratic coexistence, to forge broad agreements and to respond effectively to the real challenges facing the population.”