Peruvians to go to polls hoping to break cycle of instability
The Guardian • • world
Key Points:
- Peruans are voting in a highly fragmented election with 35 presidential candidates amid political instability, rising violent crime, corruption scandals, and widespread distrust in institutions.
- Crime and political corruption are the top voter concerns, with four former presidents jailed for bribery linked to the Odebrecht scandal.
- Keiko Fujimori leads narrowly in polls but with less than 15% support, making a runoff on June 7 highly likely; other leading candidates include comedian Carlos Álvarez and former Lima mayors Rafael López Aliaga and Ricardo Belmont.
- The election is considered unpredictable, with no candidate inspiring strong hope or confidence to effectively address Peru’s crises.
- Candidates range from right-wing figures with controversial views to anti-establishment and centrist contenders, reflecting deep political fragmentation and voter dissatisfaction.
