El Comercio Hosts Experts to Rethink Political and Electoral Systems

El Comercio, one of Peru’s leading newspapers, has opened its newsroom to a series of in-depth discussions with political, legal, and academic experts to reevaluate the country’s political and electoral system ahead of the 2026 general elections.

The initiative, titled “From Summit to Root: Rethinking Peru’s Political System,” brings together specialists to analyze structural weaknesses in Peru’s democratic institutions, with a focus on electoral reform, party system fragmentation, and the role of oversight bodies such as the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE).

The discussions come amid a prolonged political crisis marked by multiple presidential vacancies, congressional impeachments, and declining public trust in governance. Since 2016, Peru has had six different presidents, reflecting deep instability in its political framework.

El Comercio’s editorial team stated that the goal is not to advocate for a specific reform but to foster evidence-based debate on potential changes to the electoral system, including the possibility of modifying the current proportional representation model, revisiting thresholds for congressional representation, and evaluating mechanisms to strengthen party accountability.

Experts participating in the forums include former ONPE officials, constitutional lawyers, political scientists, and representatives from civil society organizations. The sessions are being held under Chatham House Rule to encourage candid dialogue, with summaries of key points to be published periodically in the newspaper’s opinion and analysis sections.

One recurring theme in the discussions has been the high level of electoral volatility in Peru, where voters frequently shift support between new and emerging parties, resulting in a highly fragmented Congress. In the 2021 elections, no single party won more than 25% of the vote, and nine different parties gained representation in the 130-member unicameral legislature.

Analysts have linked this fragmentation to governance challenges, including difficulties in forming stable coalitions, delays in passing legislation, and increased reliance on presidential decrees. Some participants have suggested that raising the electoral threshold for congressional entry—currently set at 5% nationally—could help consolidate the party system, though others warn that such a move risks excluding legitimate political voices.

Another area of focus is the role and independence of the ONPE, which has faced scrutiny over its management of recent electoral processes, including logistical challenges in remote regions and allegations of uneven enforcement of campaign finance rules. Experts are reviewing potential reforms to strengthen the institution’s autonomy, technical capacity, and transparency in auditing political party finances.

The debates also touch on broader constitutional questions, including the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, the mechanism for presidential impeachment, and the possibility of introducing a second round in presidential elections if no candidate achieves an absolute majority in the first round.

El Comercio has committed to publishing a final report synthesizing the insights from the forums, which will include policy options for consideration by lawmakers, political parties, and civil society ahead of the 2026 electoral cycle. The newspaper emphasized that the process is intended to contribute to a national conversation on democratic renewal, not to prescribe a specific outcome.

As Peru approaches the 2026 elections, scheduled for April 2026 according to the official electoral calendar, the initiative reflects growing recognition among media, academic, and institutional actors that incremental reforms may be necessary to address systemic vulnerabilities in the country’s democracy.