José Antonio Kast, the candidate of the right-wing Republican Party, won the second round of the Chilean presidential election on Sunday: he won about 58 percent of the vote, ahead of the ruling left-wing coalition and Communist Party candidate Jeannette Jara, who received 42 percent.
In his victory speech in front of thousands of supporters in Santiago de Chile, 59-year-old José Antonio Kast, who was running for president for the third time, emphasized that “Chile wants change” and promised to bring about “real change.” He highlighted the restoration of public safety and the creation of a life without fear. José Antonio Kast will take office on March 11 as the successor to the current left-wing president, Gabriel Boric, with a four-year term.
Thanks to Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian right wing has shown how to stand up for families and against illegal migration.”
José Antonio Kast, Chile’s new patriotic president, spoke to the Center for Fundamental Rights about Hungary for the first time on election night, wrote Miklós Szánthó, director general of the Center for Fundamental Rights, in his latest Facebook video post.
“I am standing here in Chile with José Antonio Kast, who became Chile’s new patriotic president with the most votes in their history. José Antonio, what is your message to the Hungarian people?” asked Vajk Farkas, head of the Center for Fundamental Rights’ Madrid office, addressing the president.
Thank you, because through your example, you have paved the way for us, showing us how to defend patriotic values and how to face the situation we are also struggling with, namely illegal migration. You have stood firm for families and the education of young people,
replied José Antonio Kast.
“I wish you every success! I would like to thank friends like you, Kinga (Kinga Gál – ed.), and Prime Minister Orbán for your generosity in sharing your experiences and the methods that have worked for you. Each country decides for itself how to implement these solutions, but we need people who can show the way and pave the way for a particular model,” he added.
My wife, Pia, and I send our greetings from Chile. I wish you strength and perseverance! Everything will work out if we do everything we can to make things better.”
The central themes of his campaign were rising crime and unregulated migration, which José Antonio Kast promised to tackle with tough measures. His program includes establishing border controls, deploying military units in high-crime areas, mass deportation of illegal immigrants, building new prisons, as well as reducing taxes and public spending.
José Antonio Kast opposes same-sex marriage and the extension of rights to indigenous peoples.
Chile remains one of the safest countries in Latin America, but in recent years there has been a significant increase in violent crime, especially in the northern border region. The proportion of migrants has risen to around 10%, with the majority coming from Venezuela. The emergence of organized crime and certain acts of violence have heightened social concerns: according to surveys, 63% of the adult population fears a deterioration in public safety.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated José Antonio Kast and expressed his hope for cooperation in strengthening regional security and reviving trade relations. Argentinian President Javier Milei celebrated the result as a “landslide victory for his friend,” calling it “another step forward in the defense of freedom and private property.”
Via Magyar Jelen, Magyar Nemzet; Featured image: MTI/Máthé Zoltán
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