In the second round of Peru's presidential election, voters choose between leftist congressman Roberto Sánchez and right-wing Keiko Fujimori. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Amid rising crime, chronic political instability, corruption scandals, and voter apathy, they are vying to become Peru's ninth president in a decade.
Fujimori, daughter of the late President Alberto Fujimori, won 17% of the vote in the first round in April. Sánchez, a former minister of trade and tourism, received 12%, ahead of ultraconservative former Lima mayor Rafael López Aliaga. This is a polarized left-right repeat of the last election in 2021.
This is Fujimori's fourth presidential campaign, and perhaps her best chance. She was thrust into politics at age 19, becoming first lady after her parents' marriage broke up.
Sánchez, 57, claims the legacy of ousted President Pedro Castillo. Castillo was removed in December 2022 after attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree. In November 2025, he was sentenced to 11 years and 5 months in prison for rebellion. Sánchez gained votes in the rural Andes, where many identify with Castillo.
Polls predict a very tight race. According to an Ipsos poll, Sánchez has 43.8%, Fujimori 43.2%. The election campaign, which started with a record 35 candidates in April, ended with a choice between two candidates representing just 29% of the vote.
Voters are tired and skeptical after a period of record instability: since July 2016, Peru has had eight presidents, only three of whom were elected. The last president, José Heri, 39, was accused of influence peddling. He was succeeded by 83-year-old José María Balcázar, known for supporting child marriage.
"Politicians have lost trust, and very few trust them," said sociologist Santiago Pedraglio. "If voting were not mandatory, turnout would be much lower."
More than 6 million Peruvians did not vote in the first round, and another 3 million spoiled their ballots in protest. Blank or spoiled ballots would have won the election.
"The level of discontent and distrust was high 20 years ago; now it is off the charts," said political scientist Steven Levitsky to La República.
Fujimori carries the legacy of her father, who spent 16 years in prison for kidnappings and murders. She uses his "iron fist" reputation, promising a tough crackdown on crime.
Pedraglio said some voters fear Fujimori would lead to an "authoritarian government." Her party Fuerza Popular has more seats in Congress than any other.
Sánchez raises fears that he would lead to a "bad government" like Castillo's. Sánchez has promised to free Castillo, whom he calls a "victim of a conspiracy." He also wants to return the government to the "people" and draft a new constitution. However, he has backed away from a promise to fire the central bank governor.
"The time has come for a true rebirth of our nation: a sovereign, just nation built on the foundations of the Peruvian people," Sánchez told foreign journalists.