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Candidate Landscape
The scale of the 2026 Presidential race showing extreme fragmentation compared to typical elections.
Primary Sources
Poll Tracker: Peru's 2026 Presidential Election | AS/COA
Monday, April 6, 2026 A historic number of candidates will compete in the April 12 first-round vote to lead the Andean country jaded by a decade of high presidential turnover. This article was originally published on February 11 and has since been updated. A series of impeachments, resignations, and interim governments have marked a tumultuous decade in Peruvian politics that has seen nine occupants of the presidential palace. The latest changeover happened less than two months before the first-round vote of an election marked by a high degree of fragmentation. On February 18, Congress appointed José María Balcázar of the leftist Free Peru party to lead the country on an interim basis until an elected president is sworn in on July 28. Can this year's vote be the reset needed to slow the revolving presidential door? A record-breaking 35 contenders remain in the race for the April 12 first round. They are vying for the votes of a 27.3 million-strong electorate largely concerned about insecurity and corruption. If no candidate captures more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two advance to a June 7 runoff. In the days leading up to the first round, Keiko Fujimori, who heads the conservative People’s Force (FP), has cemented her status as a frontrunner to make the runoff. This is the former congresswoman’s fourth presidential run, after making the last three runoffs. Although she last held an elected position in 2011, Fujimori, the eldest daughter of former authoritarian President Alberto Fujimori (1990–2000), holds sway in the country’s powerful Congress, where her party leads a right-wing bloc. Behind her are two other right-wing candidates. One is former Lima Mayor Rafael López Aliaga (2023–2025) of the Popular Renewal party (RP). Also known as “Porky,” the politician and businessman’s style has drawn comparisons with U.S. President Donald Trump. The other is comedian Carlos Álvarez of the right-wing Country for All party (PPT). Other notable candidates hover around 5 percent in the polls. These include Alfonso López-Chau of the left-of-center Now Nation party (AN), a former central bank director (2006–2012) currently under investigation for alleged corruption during his time as president of the National University of Engineering (2021–2025). Another is congressman Roberto Sánchez of Together for Peru (JP), who was endorsed by the imprisoned ex-President Pedro Castillo, for whom he served as foreign trade and tourism minister (2017–2022).
Peru's Election: Who Are the Front-Runners for President?
Peruvians will vote on April 12 for a new president and Congress members after a period of political instability, marked by eight presidents since 2018 due to impeachments and corruption scandals. A record number of candidates will participate in the first round, and if no one gets over 50% of the votes, the top two candidates will move to a runoff on June 7. Opinion polls suggest that a runoff is likely, with at least five of the 35 presidential candidates having a chance.Keiko Fujimori, 50, is making her fourth attempt for the presidency. She has reached the runoff in her previous campaigns and leads the conservative People’s Force party. The daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, she maintains a prominent role in Congress. Fujimori is pro-U. S. and advocates for foreign investment, presenting herself as a reliable partner for Washington. Her campaign focuses on a law-and-order message reminiscent of her father’s presidency in the 1990s. She has faced accusations of illegal campaign financing, but these were dismissed last year.Rafael Lopez Aliaga, 65, known as ‘Porky,’ is a businessman and former mayor of Lima with links to the Popular Renewal party. Despite being a recognizable figure, recent polls indicate a decline in his support. He is against abortion and same-sex marriage and has strong ties to the mining sector. Lopez Aliaga has claimed to practice celibacy since age 19 and is known for his hardline political stance.Carlos Alvarez, 62, is a comedian turned politician running for the center-right Country for All party. He aims to connect with voters’ frustration against the political class and supports capital punishment for certain crimes. Alvarez is seeking to mirror the political rise of Ukrainian President Zelenskiy. Surveys suggest he has gained recent voter support, although critics question his policy depth and the capability of his potential government team.Alfonso Lopez Chau, 75, is an economist from the left-of-center Now Nation party and a former central bank board member. He has proposed creating a sovereign wealth fund and supports calls for a new constitution. He is under investigation for alleged embezzlement during his tenure as president of the National University of Engineering but denies the charges.Jorge Nieto, 74, is a centrist candidate and a former defense and culture minister who resigned over a controversial pardon given to Alberto Fujimori. He promotes civil rights reforms but has not focused much on foreign polic...
Peru to vote for president amid deep political crisis: here's what you ...
Peru will vote for a new president on April 12, amid a deep political and institutional crisis. The Andean country held its last presidential elections in 2021, in which Pedro Castillo won.
Factbox-Peru election: Who are the leading presidential contenders ...
LIMA, April 8 (Reuters) - Peruvians will go to the polls on April 12 to elect a new president and members of Congress, following years of political upheaval, impeachments and corruption scandals that have seen eight presidents since 2018. A record number of candidates will compete in the first round. If no candidate clears the 50% threshold needed to win outright, the two most-voted ...
