Peru Presidential Elections: 35 Candidates Vie for Power Amid Instability
- Peru held general elections on April 12, 2026, to select a new president and members of a bicameral congress.
- The election was characterized by a ballot sheet measuring nearly half a meter, the longest in the history of the country.
- Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of the late president Alberto Fujimori and a three-time presidential candidate, held a narrow lead in opinion polls prior to the election.
Peru held general elections on April 12, 2026, to select a new president and members of a bicameral congress. Approximately 27 million eligible voters participated in the process, which featured a record 35 candidates for the presidency.
The election was characterized by a ballot sheet measuring nearly half a meter, the longest in the history of the country. This expansion reflects a highly fragmented political landscape where no single candidate held a commanding lead leading up to the vote.
Presidential Candidates and Polls
Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of the late president Alberto Fujimori and a three-time presidential candidate, held a narrow lead in opinion polls prior to the election. She was closely followed by Carlos Álvarez, a comedian, and two former mayors of Lima: the ultra-conservative Rafael López Aliaga and media mogul Ricardo Belmont.
Other candidates included Roberto Sánchez of the Together for Peru party, who arrived by horse for his closing campaign rally in Lima on April 8, 2026. The presidential field also included candidates such as Alfonso López Chau and representatives from parties including Popular Force, Podemos Perú, and Free Peru.
According to Urpi Torrado of the polling company Datum Internacional, the election is one of the most unpredictable on record. Because no candidate was polling above 15%, a runoff election on June 7, 2026, is considered almost certain.
Voter Concerns and Political Instability
Voters expressed primary concerns regarding surging violent crime, specifically record rates of homicide and extortion, as well as systemic political corruption. Distrust in politicians and public institutions remains high.
Corruption has been a recurring theme in Peruvian politics, with four former presidents currently imprisoned. Most of these cases are linked to bribery scandals involving the Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht.
The 2026 election follows a period of intense political turmoil. Peru has seen nine presidents in a decade, with three different presidents serving since 2021. This cycle of instability has prevented recent presidents from completing their full terms in office.
Legislative Elections
Alongside the presidency, Peruvians voted for a bicameral congress consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
- Chamber of Deputies: All 130 seats were contested, with 66 seats required for a majority.
- Senate: All 60 seats were contested, with 31 seats required for a majority.
Major parties competing for these seats included Popular Force, led by Keiko Fujimori. APP, led by César Acuña; Podemos Perú, led by José Luna; and Together for Peru, led by Roberto Sánchez.
Current Administration
The elections take place during the administration of Independent President José María Balcázar. The current government includes Prime Minister Luis Arroyo Sánchez, while Fernando Rospigliosi has served as the acting President of the Congress of the Republic.