José Antonio Kast of Chile’s Republican Party has been elected president after winning the runoff election with 58 of the vote, defeating leftist candidate Jeannette Jara. Speaking to supporters in Santiago, Kast thanked voters and said his victory represented all Chileans, declaring that “Chile won and hope won.”br br The president-elect pledged to govern with respect and dialogue, stressing the need to avoid political violence and division. Kast will take office on March 11, 2026, facing the challenge of governing with a fragmented Congress.