Peru Holds Presidential Runoff Between Keiko Fujimori and Pedro Castillo

Peruvians vote on Sunday in a presidential runoff between Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez, who finished first and second in a first round that featured a record 35 candidates in April. Fujimori received 17 percent of the vote while Sánchez took 12 percent, according to results cited by both outlets. The two candidates advance to a contest described by outlets as a polarised left-right choice.

Fujimori, daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, is running for the fourth time. Her Fuerza Popular party holds the largest number of seats in congress, which recently reinstated the bicameral system. Sánchez, 57, served as a minister under former president Pedro Castillo.

Castillo was removed from office in December 2022 after he attempted to dissolve congress and rule by decree. In November 2025 a court sentenced him to 11 years and five months in prison for the crime of rebellion. Sánchez has pledged to free Castillo.

Peru has had eight presidents since July 2016, according to France 24 reporting. Only three of them were elected. The most recent president to be ousted, José Jerí, was 39 years old and faced accusations of influence-trafficking linked to meetings with Chinese businessmen.

He was succeeded by the current head of state, José María Balcázar, 83, who is noted in reporting for his public support of child marriage.

More than 6 million eligible voters did not participate in the April first round, while another 3 million cast blank or spoiled ballots. Those blank and spoiled votes outnumbered the tallies received by either finalist. Alberto Fujimori served 16 years in prison after being convicted of authorising kidnappings and murders; he died in 2024.

Sánchez told foreign reporters last month: “The time has come for the true rebirth of our nation: a sovereign, just nation built from the foundations of the Peruvian people.”