In the past few years, Chile's political scene has seen the emergence of many notable figures, one of whom is conservative politician José Antonio Kast. The legal expert, who is also a politician, attracted widespread attention in the 2021 presidential election for his strong conservative stance and idiosyncratic social policies. Castex's background, political history and influence not only made people think about the future development of Chile, but also redefined Chile's political ecology.
During his campaign, Castex emphasized that stability and the rule of law are the cornerstones of Chile's future.
José Antonio Castells was born in Buin, Chile in 1966, to a family of German immigrants. His father was a lieutenant in the German army and chose to flee to Chile after World War II because of the Nazi history. Given this family background, the influence on Castells is obvious, and his brothers and family members have also played important roles in Chile's politics and economy. After years of education and legal studies, Custer finally began his political career.
Custer's political career began in 1996 when he was elected to the Buin City Council. He was elected to the Chilean Chamber of Deputies in 2001, during which time he gained a lot of conservative support, especially from the socially conservative church. This experience laid the foundation for his political career.
First, in 2017, Custer ran as an independent candidate. Although he failed to be elected, he once again attracted the attention of the media and the public. Then in the 2021 election, he ran as the candidate of the Republican Party of Chile, which was a breakthrough in his two candidacy. He received nearly 28% of the vote in the first round and advanced to the runoff. This achievement surprised many observers, and Custer's success can be said to have overcome many politically unimaginable obstacles.
"In today's world, Chileans need God," this was one of Castor's famous quotes during the campaign.
As a conservative politician, Castor's policy positions have sparked various discussions. He emphasizes free market economics, the rule of law and stricter immigration policies, and opposes social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. He argued that Chile needed certain traditional values to maintain social stability.
Cast also demonstrated excellent connections on the international stage, establishing partnerships with several international conservative political individuals. For example, his meeting with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio further highlighted his influence among conservatives.
In the second round of the 2021 election, Castex lost to Gabriel Boric with 44.13% of the votes. However, Castex's electoral strength and support base are not to be underestimated. Underestimate. He admitted that this was a difficult battle, but said there was still a chance to regroup in the future.
“There are more opportunities to look forward to in the future.”
In 2025, Castor was again confirmed by his party as the presidential candidate, which shows that his importance in Chilean politics cannot be underestimated. As the election date approaches, how his political stance and past experiences will affect voters' choices and the political direction of Chile as a whole remains an issue worthy of attention.
What impact will Castex’s success and challenges have on the future of Chile’s political landscape?