On Sunday, voters in Peru will head to the polls, aiming to break a persistent cycle of political instability that has seen the nation cycle through nine presidents within the last decade. This instability is compounded by rising violent crime rates, corruption scandals, and a pervasive distrust of political institutions and figures.
Approximately 27 million eligible voters will face an unprecedented choice among 35 presidential candidates, along with those vying for seats in the bicameral congress, all presented on a ballot nearly half a meter long, marking the longest in the nation’s electoral history.
The primary concern for voters is the escalating crime rate, particularly the alarming levels of homicide and extortion. Political corruption is a close second in voter priorities, with four former presidents currently imprisoned, most due to bribery scandals tied to the Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht.
Keiko Fujimori, a three-time presidential contender and daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, is currently leading in the polls, albeit by a slim margin. She is followed closely by comedian Carlos Álvarez and two former mayors of Lima: the ultra-conservative Rafael López Aliaga and media figure Ricardo Belmont.
No single candidate appears to be polling above 15%, suggesting a likely runoff election on June 7, according to Urpi Torrado from the polling firm Datum Internacional. “This is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable elections we’ve seen,” Torrado remarked. “There could be unexpected developments on Sunday, as it’s uncertain who will advance to the second round.”
Fujimori, aged 50, is making her fourth attempt at the presidency, having narrowly lost in her previous three elections (in 2021, 2016, and 2011). She previously served as first lady during her father’s authoritarian regime in the 1990s, a period for which he was later convicted of corruption and human rights violations, spending 16 years in prison.
Ricardo Belmont, who served as Lima’s mayor from 1990 to 1995, has gained traction in recent polls, appealing particularly to younger voters with his optimistic messaging, encapsulated in his slogan “hugs not bullets,” inspired by former Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Political analyst Gonzalo Banda, who is pursuing a doctorate at University College London’s Institute of the Americas, characterized Belmont as an “anti-establishment candidate garnering support from the right, left, and center.” However, the 80-year-old has also faced criticism for making xenophobic and sexist remarks.
López Aliaga, who held the mayoral position in Lima until recently, has conducted a far-right campaign characterized by misinformation, hostile rhetoric, and threats toward journalists and political opponents. The 65-year-old rail magnate has voiced opposition to same-sex marriage and has vowed to deny abortion access to underage rape victims, although his popularity has waned in recent polling.
Adding a surprising twist to the race is Álvarez, a well-known comedian who has impersonated presidents for over thirty years. Despite his comedic background, his platform is serious, as he aligns himself with leaders like Donald Trump and Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, advocating for policies such as the establishment of megaprisons and the reinstatement of the death penalty.
Banda noted, “It is ironically poetic that due to this cycle of political decay in Peru, we might end up with a comedy performer who imitates politicians as our next president.”
Other candidates in the running include Roberto Sánchez, backed by ousted former populist leader Pedro Castillo, who is noted for his distinctive wide-brimmed sombrero. Centrists in the race include former defense minister Jorge Nieto and Alfonso López Chau, a former university rector.
Torrado concluded, “No political leader has emerged who can instill a sense of hope or the belief that they can steer the country toward a better political future. Many Peruvians feel that politicians have increasingly distanced themselves from the populace in recent years.”
