Lecture
The new Right-wing government of José Antonio Kast in Chile: Key Challenges and Possible Outcomes
- Prof. Carlos Peña, Prof. Patricio Silva & Dr. Soledad Valdivia
- Date
- Thursday 19 March 2026
- Time
- Explanation
- Doors open at 15:15| Language: The discussion will be conducted in Spanish
- Address
-
Herta Mohr
Witte Singel 27A
2311 BG Leiden - Room
- 0.02
Over the past 15 years, Chile’s political landscape has swung between left-wing and right-wing administrations. In 2010, left-wing President Michelle Bachelet was succeeded by the right-wing Sebastián Piñera. Bachelet returned to power in 2014, followed by Piñera’s second term in 2018, who was in turn succeeded by the left-wing Gabriel Boric in 2022. The December 2025 presidential elections decisively confirmed this ongoing political pendulum: conservative candidate José Antonio Kast won the election and is set to be inaugurated as President of Chile on 11 March 2026.
The triumph of the Right has raised various perspectives regarding the central pillars of the incoming Kast administration. Throughout the campaign, Kast pledged to implement an "emergency government" focused on combating organized crime, controlling irregular immigration, and stimulating economic growth.
In this new political landscape, several critical questions emerge:
- Will Kast establish an illiberal, far-right government?
- What form of opposition will the moderate and radical Left exercise?
- Could a social revolt similar to that of 2019 be on the horizon?
- How will the new government manage relations with neighboring countries and key Latin American nations such as Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia?
- How will Kast position himself regarding the Monroe Doctrine amidst growing competition between the United States and China for influence in the region?
These and other questions will be addressed by Prof. Carlos Peña and Prof. Patricio Silva in an open discussion. The event will be chaired by Dr. Soledad Valdivia from the Latin American Studies (LAS) program at Leiden University.
About the speakers
- Professor Carlos Peña is the Rector of Diego Portales University and a Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Chile.
- Professor Patricio Silva is Professor Emeritus of Modern Latin American History at Leiden University.
Event details
Language: The discussion will be conducted in Spanish.
Closing: The event will conclude with a cocktail reception.
Registration: For organizational purposes, guests are kindly requested to register in advance.