Global Right-Wing Surge: Chile's Kast Election Confirms 2025 Trend

• Global right-wing movements gained unprecedented influence in 2025, marked by Donald Trump's return to the US presidency and engagement with European right-wing parties.
• Right-wing parties now lead opinion polls in Europe's four largest economies: AfD in Germany, Reform UK in the UK, National Rally in France, and Giorgia Meloni's government remains popular in Italy.
• South America also saw a significant rightward shift with Javier Milei's presidency in Argentina, and new right-wing leaders in El Salvador, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Honduras.
• José Antonio Kast, founder of Chile's Republican Party, was elected President of Chile, marking the most right-wing leader since Pinochet and confirming the regional trend.
• Key factors driving this global ascendancy include migration debates, economic concerns, declining trust in institutions, and the political influence of Gen Z.

Why It Matters: Chile's election of José Antonio Kast confirms a widespread global surge of right-wing politics in 2025, driven by various socio-economic factors.