Far-right candidate José Antonio Kast favourite to become Chile’s next president after first round vote

<p>The ultraconservative lawyer is in pole position going into the second round election, after running a campaign with a distinctly Trumpian feel</p><p>​The ultraconservative lawyer, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/12/jose-antonio-kast-trump-inspired-frontrunner-chile-president">José Antonio Kast</a>, is in pole position to become Chile’s next leader after advancing to the second round of the South American country’s presidential election where he will face the Communist party candidate Jeannette Jara.</p><p>With more than 70% of votes counted, Kast had secured about 24% of the vote <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/16/chile-election-president-crime-migration-fears">in Sunday’s first round vote</a>, having campaigned on hard-line promises to crack down on crime and immigration, while making a Donald Trump-style pledge to “put Chileans first”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/17/far-right-candidate-jose-antonio-kast-favourite-to-become-chiles-next-president-after-first-round-vote">Continue reading...</a>