Fujimori Clinches Peru Presidency
Keiko Fujimori declared winner of Peru's presidential election after razor-edge vote count
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Conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori has been declared the winner of Peru's presidential election after a lengthy and tense vote count, according to CNN. Her Popular Force party defeated leftist rival Roberto Sánchez of Together for Peru by just 49,641 ballots out of roughly 18 million cast — one of the narrowest margins in Peruvian political history.
The win is Fujimori's fourth attempt at the presidency, following failed campaigns in 2011, 2016, and 2021. She will be sworn in on July 28 and is set to serve a five-year term, CNN reported.
A Fourth Try Finally Delivers the Presidency
Keiko Fujimori has spent over a decade running for Peru's highest office. She lost narrowly in 2011, 2016, and again in 2021. Each defeat was painful and close. This time, Peru's electoral office confirmed she had crossed the finish line first in the June 7 runoff vote, according to CNN.
The margin was razor-thin. Out of about 18 million votes, only 49,641 separated her from Sánchez. That is less than 0.3% of the total vote. It is the kind of result that keeps election officials counting through the night — and keeps a nation waiting.
Fujimori Edges Out Leftist Challenger Roberto Sánchez
Her opponent, Roberto Sánchez, ran under the Together for Peru banner, a left-leaning coalition. The two candidates offered sharply different visions for the country. Fujimori's Popular Force party backs conservative economic policies. Sánchez pushed for more government intervention in Peru's economy, including its key mining sector.
The closeness of the race reflects a deeply divided Peru. Neither candidate won a clear mandate. With fewer than 50,000 votes separating them, Fujimori will take office knowing that nearly half the country voted against her, CNN reported.
Inauguration Set for July 28 With New Leadership Team
Fujimori is expected to be sworn in as president on July 28. She will serve alongside two key figures: Luis Fernando Galarreta and Miguel Ángel Torres Morales, according to CNN. The date, July 28, is significant — it marks Peru's independence day, making it a symbolically loaded moment for a new administration.
Her term will run five years. She will face immediate challenges. Peru has dealt with years of political instability, corruption scandals, and economic pressures. Fujimori herself has faced past legal troubles. How she governs a divided nation will define her legacy.
Peru's History of Tight Elections and Political Turbulence
Peru has seen dramatic political swings in recent years. The country went through multiple presidents in quick succession between 2016 and 2023. Runoff elections have repeatedly produced near-tied results. The 2021 race, which Fujimori lost to Pedro Castillo, was also decided by a tiny margin, according to KRDO.
Fujimori's father, Alberto Fujimori, served as Peru's president in the 1990s. He remains a divisive figure, praised by some for stabilizing the economy and fighting terrorism, but convicted of human rights abuses. Keiko's wins and losses have always carried the weight of her father's complicated legacy.
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