Ultra-conservative politician José Antonio Kast is widely expected to become Chile's next leader, despite his radical proposals costing him two previous elections.
Kast's commanding lead over communist rival Jeannette Jara in recent polls signals a significant shift in the nation's political landscape, with the hard-liner advocating for mass deportations and a stringent security crackdown. His popularity has surged by capitalizing on public anxieties surrounding uncontrolled immigration and rising crime, marking a notable moment for a country that, post-dictatorship, had vowed to contain such political forces.
