Chile · Head of state and government
José Antonio Kast
President of the Republic of Chile.
- Office
- President of the Republic of Chile
- In office since
- 11 March 2026
- Born
- 1966
How Kast took office
Kast won the runoff of 14 December 2025 with 58.16 percent, according to the Library of the National Congress, and was sworn in as President on 11 March 2026 for the 2026 to 2030 term. MercoPress reported his opponent in the runoff was Jeannette Jara. The Associated Press also reported his swearing in.2,3,4
Career
- 1996 to 2000Municipal councillor of Buin2
- 2002 to 2014Member of the Chamber of Deputies for District 30 (San Bernardo, Calera de Tango, Buin, Paine), UDI2
- 2014 to 2018Member of the Chamber of Deputies for District 24 (La Reina and Peñalolén)2
- 2017 to 2017Independent presidential candidate, finished fourth of eight with 7.93 percent of valid votes2
- April 2018Founded the Acción Republicana movement, which became the Partido Republicano de Chile on 23 January 2020, and was its first president2
- 2021 to 2021Republican Party presidential candidate, advanced to the runoff with 27.91 percent of valid votes in the first round, lost the runoff of 19 December 2021 to Gabriel Boric2
- 11 March 2026 to presentPresident of the Republic of Chile2,3,4,1
Education
- Law degree, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, sworn in as a lawyer before the Supreme Court on 19 August 19912
Notable facts
- 31 May 2016: The Library of the National Congress records that he joined the UDI in 1996 and announced his resignation from it on 31 May 2016.2
Career facts only, from official biographies and reputable news reports. Checked 28 October 2026. Office holders change: see the sources for the latest.
Sources
- United Nations Protocol and Liaison Service, Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs (list dated 20 October 2026) (20 October 2026)
- Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile, José Antonio Kast Rist (Reseñas parlamentarias) (28 October 2026)
- MercoPress, Chile: José Antonio Kast sworn in as president in conservative shift after Boric (11 March 2026)
- Associated Press via WTOP, José Antonio Kast is sworn in as president, marking Chile's sharpest shift to the right in decades (AP via WTOP) (March 2026)