Published 15/12/2025 09:31 | Edited 15/12/2025 13:00
José Antonio Kast (Republican Party) was elected president of Chile this Sunday (14), with 58.1% of the valid votes, defeating the government Jeannette Jara (Communist Party of Chile), according to the country’s Electoral Service (Servel). The victory consolidates the return of the extreme right to control of the country and marks a political setback after the cycle opened by the social protests of 2019.
With 99% of the ballots counted, Kast received approximately 7.3 million votes, while Jara received approximately 5.3 million. Null and blank votes were around 200,000, according to official data.
The election brought to power the most right-wing president since the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973–1990), reopening the debate in the country about the legacy of Pinochetism and the limits of Chile’s democratic transition.
The new government takes office on March 11, 2026, driven by a campaign focused on tightening public security, controlling irregular immigration and a fiscal adjustment program that foresees cuts in public spending and review of social policies.
In the economic area, Kast defended the reduction of the role of the State, the containment of social spending and the review of subsidies, proposals that critics point out as a threat to public policies built after decades of social mobilization.
Jeannette Jara acknowledged her defeat on Sunday night and stated, in a post on social media, that she will continue to act politically and highlighted that “defeat is always brief”.
“It is in defeat that we learn the most and where our democratic commitment is strengthened”, stated the communist. “I will continue working for more opportunities, more security and for progress to reach all of Chile,” he said.
Source: vermelho.org.br
