Keiko Fujimori vows to unite a Peru ‘split in two’ as run-off lead holds

Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori stated on Wednesday her intention to unite Peru, which she described as "split in two," if elected president. This declaration follows razor-thin election results that have given her an apparently insurmountable lead in the presidential run-off. Fujimori, a four-time presidential hopeful and daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, plans to invite experienced technocrats to form her first cabinet. She aims to address campaign promises concerning crime reduction and deep inequality. Fujimori secured an unbeatable advantage over her leftist rival, Roberto Sanchez, after the June 7 run-off, the resolution of which was delayed by ballot challenges and late-arriving international votes.

Keiko Fujimori is nearing victory in Peru's presidential election, according to figures released by the elections regulator late Tuesday. With 99.8% of ballots counted, Fujimori held a lead of 50.1% to her leftist rival Roberto Sanchez's 49.9%. The margin of 43,386 votes is larger than the remaining 39,300 disputed ballots, securing her position. This marks Fujimori's fourth consecutive presidential campaign. The electoral authority is expected to officially declare a winner in mid-July, and Fujimori's party, Fuerza Popular, stated they would await the completion of the count before declaring victory. Over 18 million Peruvians participated in the June 7 run-off election.

Peruvian presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez has declared the recent run-off election "fraudulent" and stated he will not recognize a victory for his rival, Keiko Fujimori. Fujimori currently holds a narrow lead of 50.11% to Sanchez's 49.89% with over 99.7% of votes counted. Sanchez is demanding the nullification of results from 119 consular offices abroad, alleging a procedural change made the vote tally vulnerable to manipulation. He claims this change compromised the legal certainty of votes cast by Peruvians overseas. Fujimori has dismissed Sanchez's claims as a "desperate political act." This situation highlights Peru's ongoing political turmoil, marked by frequent presidential changes and close election margins.