Peru heads to the polls today (12 April) amid sustained political volatility, with 35 presidential candidates competing in a fragmented and uncertain race. Analysts highlight widespread voter frustration and institutional instability following years of leadership turnover.
Campaigning in Lima, Ricardo Belmont, a former mayor and presidential candidate, called for an end to entrenched corruption, reflecting a broader theme among contenders seeking to distance themselves from recent governance crises.
Over the past decade, Peru has seen nine presidents, with most facing investigations or imprisonment. Experts warn this instability has fuelled voter apathy and unpredictable electoral dynamics.
Key developments:
• Around 10% of voters remain undecided ahead of the first-round vote
• Keiko Fujimori leads polling, with several candidates competing closely for second place
• A run-off election is expected in June 2026
• Voters will also elect a new bicameral Congress, reintroducing a Senate for the first time since 1990
Political analysts caution that structural tensions between the executive and legislature may persist, regardless of the election outcome.
ℹ️ Al Jazeera
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