Peru is set to elect its 10th president in a decade
Peru is set to elect its 10th – Peruvians prepare to choose their next leader on Sunday, with recent surveys highlighting a contentious contest between the long-standing conservative contender Keiko Fujimori and the leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez. The race has narrowed significantly, as Fujimori’s lead appears to be waning. While she still holds a slight edge, a quarter of voters remain undecided, and the final weeks of the campaign have seen Sánchez making strides in closing the gap.
A Legacy of Strength and Controversy
Keiko Fujimori’s campaign hinges on the political legacy of her father, Alberto Fujimori, a former president whose tenure was marked by both economic triumphs and authoritarian tactics. His administration successfully curtailed hyperinflation and defeated the Maoist Shining Path insurgents, who terrorized the country in the 1980s and 1990s. However, his legacy also includes orchestrating death squads, which led to a 25-year prison sentence. Additionally, his time in office was characterized by the suspension of Congress, media manipulation, and widespread corruption scandals.
Fujimori’s personal brand blends her father’s reputation with her own political career. Though she has never held the presidency, her father’s influence remains a cornerstone of her platform. She positions herself as a stabilizer in a nation plagued by recurring crises, from economic instability to political unrest. Yet her critics argue that her leadership style has always mirrored her father’s, prioritizing control over compromise.
A Pattern of Defiance
Fujimori, 51, is set to face a fourth consecutive runoff election, following narrow defeats in 2011, 2016, and 2021. Her history of refusing to concede has drawn sharp criticism, with many Peruvians labeling her a chronic loser. After narrowly losing in 2016, she spent months denying her defeat and later accused the election process of fraud in 2021, even as her administration collapsed under allegations of mismanagement.
Her party, Popular Force, has also been blamed for undermining democratic institutions. During the last two congressional terms, it blocked investigations into corruption and organized crime, destabilizing multiple governments. This has contributed to Peru’s record nine presidential changes in the past decade, a political cycle of instability that many blame on Fujimori’s influence. Despite these controversies, she remains a dominant figure in the race, offering a stark contrast to Sánchez’s more radical image.
A Shift in Ideology
Roberto Sánchez, 57, initially campaigned on an aggressive platform of economic nationalism, vowing to nationalize key sectors and prioritize local production over imports. This approach drew comparisons to the economic models of Cuba and North Korea, alarming investors and business leaders. However, as the election approaches, Sánchez has adjusted his strategy, attempting to project a more centrist image to broaden his appeal.
His campaign is closely tied to the legacy of Pedro Castillo, the leftist former president who narrowly defeated Fujimori in 2021 but faced a dramatic downfall. Castillo’s administration collapsed within 18 months due to accusations of extremism, incompetence, and graft, leading to his ouster and imprisonment in December 2022. Sánchez, Castillo’s former ally, has inherited some of the former leader’s credibility but also his reputation for uncompromising rhetoric. His team includes Antauro Humala, a radical ex-army officer with a history of violent dissent, who remains a polarizing figure despite his political evolution.
Humala’s involvement on Sánchez’s campaign has sparked debates about the balance between reform and radicalism. He was imprisoned for his role in the 2005 military uprising, which resulted in the deaths of several police officers. His unrepentant stance and authoritarian tendencies have raised concerns about the potential for hardline policies to resurface under Sánchez’s leadership. This dynamic highlights the broader tension in the election: whether Peru is ready to embrace a new era of governance or remains trapped in a cycle of ideological extremes.
Consequences of the Vote
Political analyst Paula Távara warns that Fujimori’s victory would usher in a facade of democratic discourse, yet her governance would likely revert to authoritarian practices.
“If she wins, there will be performative moderation. There will be this discourse about dialogue and democracy, but the reality will be that she will have her hands on the levers of power and will use them in an authoritarian way,”
she predicts. Fujimori’s supporters argue that her leadership could restore order to a fractured nation, while opponents fear a return to the same patterns of corruption and repression that defined her father’s era.
Meanwhile, Sánchez’s path to victory is not without challenges. His centrist pivot has been met with skepticism, as many voters associate him with Castillo’s radicalism. The presence of Humala on his team, however, underscores his commitment to a more aggressive approach to governance, even as he attempts to distance himself from Castillo’s failures. Both candidates represent opposing visions for Peru’s future, with the outcome likely to shape the country’s trajectory for years to come.
With polls closing at 5 p.m. local time, the final result may be announced that evening. However, if the margin is narrow, the process of determining a winner could stretch into the following days. The election has become a referendum on Peru’s political direction, with voters weighing the merits of Fujimori’s pragmatic yet polarizing approach against Sánchez’s more ideological promises. As the nation prepares to cast its ballots, the stakes have never been higher for a country still reeling from the consequences of a decade of instability.
Peru’s political landscape is defined by a cycle of short-lived leaders, each facing unique challenges but often sharing similar struggles with governance. The current election is no exception, as the nation grapples with rising crime, economic uncertainty, and deepening divisions. Fujimori’s ability to rally support despite her history of corruption and her father’s authoritarian legacy will be crucial in determining her victory. Conversely, Sánchez’s success will depend on his capacity to unify a fractured electorate and distance himself from Castillo’s controversies.
The campaign has also exposed the broader electorate’s disillusionment with political leaders. Many Peruvians have grown weary of leaders who promise change but deliver instability. Fujimori’s appeal lies in her perceived ability to restore order, while Sánchez’s potential lies in his ability to articulate a vision for economic transformation. Yet both candidates have faced accusations of self-serving agendas, with Fujimori’s critics pointing to her role in perpetuating chaos and Sánchez’s supporters questioning whether his centrist adjustments are genuine or strategic.
As the election day approaches, the race remains a microcosm of Peru’s political struggles. The country has endured nine presidents in the last ten years,
