Keiko Fujimori officially elected president in Peru's tightest election
Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Keiko Fujimori has been officially declared the winner of Peru's presidential election.
- She secured 50.13% of the vote, narrowly defeating her left-wing rival Roberto Sanchez.
- Fujimori's victory marks the return of Fujimorism to power, over two decades after her father's presidency.
Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori has been officially declared the winner of Peru's presidential election, securing victory three weeks after the vote. At 51, she garnered 50.13% of the votes, a slim margin over her left-wing rival Roberto Sanchez, who received 49.86%, according to final results from the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE).
Every day closer to a path of order and hope for all Peruvians.
Fujimori's win signifies the return of Fujimorism to power, more than two decades after her father, Alberto Fujimori, ended his iron-fisted rule. He governed Peru from 1990 to 2000 before being convicted of corruption and crimes against humanity.
The election saw one of the closest results in recent Latin American history, with the final difference amounting to just 50,000 votes out of over 18 million cast. Sanchez, the political heir of former President Pedro Castillo, has indicated he may not recognize the results, calling for the annulment of votes from Peruvians abroad due to alleged irregularities.
We know the country is divided. We have the great responsibility to listen to both sides. The doors of dialogue are open.
Sanchez has led marches in Lima, denouncing what he calls a "grave attack on the electoral process" and vowing to take the case to international bodies. This election aimed to end Peru's significant political instability, which has seen eight presidents since 2016 amid repeated institutional crises. Fujimori is set to take office on July 28 for a five-year term, acknowledging she inherits a "fragmented" country and pledging to foster dialogue.
We are going to take cases to international instances so that the will of the people is recognized.
Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.