From first lady to Peru's president? Inside Keiko Fujimori's rise
Keiko Fujimori, daughter of Peru’s former president Alberto Fujimori, is poised to compete in the country’s June 2024 presidential runoff after strong first-round performance, though recent polling shows a tight race with leftist rival Roberto Sanchez. Her political legacy remains tied to her father’s authoritarian rule, while her own leadership struggles to connect with rural and Indigenous communities amid public skepticism over her ability to replicate his economic achievements.
Peruvian opposition leader Keiko Fujimori is set to face leftist candidate Roberto Sanchez in a June 2024 runoff election after securing a competitive lead in the April 12 first round. Fujimori, 50, has contested three previous presidential elections but lost each time in runoff votes, with critics dismissing her as unpopular and tied to her father Alberto Fujimori’s controversial legacy. Polls initially favored her, but Sanchez’s platform adjustments narrowed the gap, leaving the outcome uncertain ahead of Sunday’s vote. Fujimori’s political career began in 1994 when her father, then-Peru’s president, appointed her as first lady amid divorce proceedings and national turmoil. Over three decades, she transformed from a youthful figure into a dominant right-wing leader, heading her father’s political movement despite his 2000 resignation amid corruption and human rights charges. Supporters credit Alberto Fujimori with stabilizing Peru’s economy and suppressing leftist insurgencies, while critics associate him with authoritarianism and abuse of power. Fujimori’s campaign faces challenges, particularly with rural and Indigenous voters, who view her as disconnected from their struggles. Unlike her father, a self-made outsider, she grew up in privilege, studied in the U.S., and divorced her Italian American husband in 2022. Her attempts to distance herself from her father’s legacy have been inconsistent, leaving voters divided over whether she can govern without repeating his mistakes. Public opinion remains polarised. Lorena Aviles, a 58-year-old Fujimori supporter, defends her father’s presidency as Peru’s best era but acknowledges doubts about Keiko’s leadership. Others, like hospital worker Eduardo Salazar, oppose her due to her family’s history but admit frustration with her persistent political presence. With both candidates appealing to disaffected voters, Sunday’s election could hinge on perceptions of which leader offers the ‘lesser evil’ for Peru’s future.
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