Keiko Fujimori, leader of the Popular Force party and daughter of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, has won the presidential election. Her conservative platform, emphasizing a strong response to violent crime, aligns Peru with the growing trend of conservative and right-wing governments in Latin America.
The Wall Street Journal reported on June 11 that Fujimori has effectively secured victory in the runoff election, leading leftist candidate Roberto Sanchez by a narrow margin. With over 98% of votes counted, Fujimori received 50.002% of the votes, with the gap between the candidates amounting to just a few hundred votes out of approximately 20 million cast.
Sanchez has not yet conceded defeat, and some of his supporters have raised unfounded allegations of electoral fraud. Sanchez stated, "We will protect the victory of the people." Given the slim margin, there is potential for ongoing opposition challenges even after the new government takes office.
The key issue in this election was public safety. Peru has seen a rise in violent crime, extortion, illegal mining, and cocaine trafficking, leading to increased social unrest. Fujimori promised to build high-security prisons, deport illegal immigrants, and allow masked trials to protect judges.
The new president is the eldest daughter of Alberto Fujimori, who ruled Peru from 1990 to 2000. While he is credited with suppressing Maoist insurgents and hyperinflation, his presidency ended amid controversies over congressional dissolution, political repression, corruption, and human rights abuses, leading to his imprisonment for extrajudicial killings.
Keiko Fujimori entered politics at age 19 when her father appointed her as First Lady in 1994. After winning a seat in Congress in 2006, she made three unsuccessful bids for the presidency before finally winning in her fourth attempt. Her father's political legacy has been both an asset and a burden throughout her career.
However, her presidency will face challenges. She becomes the tenth president of Peru in the last decade. The political landscape has been marked by extreme instability, with Congress frequently using a "moral incapacity" clause to swiftly impeach presidents.
Concerns about a return to authoritarianism also linger. Critics argue that the conservative coalition led by Fujimori has weakened investigative bodies and the judiciary, undermining democracy. In response, Fujimori's camp insists they will adhere to constitutional term limits and deny any intent to govern in a dictatorial manner.
This election result reflects a shift in the political landscape of Latin America. The Wall Street Journal noted that the only remaining center-left governments in South America are in Uruguay, Colombia, and Brazil, with the possibility of conservative victories in upcoming elections in Colombia and Brazil. Frustrated by rising crime and economic stagnation, voters are increasingly opting for messages of order and stability, tilting the regional political landscape toward conservatism.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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