Peru to Hold 9th Presidential Election in Last 10 Years
Peru will hold its presidential election on Sunday local time. Following this election, Peru will have had nine presidents within the last ten years.
According to DW on Sunday (7/6/2026), during the 2026 presidential election, Peruvian citizens will choose between Roberto Sanchez of the social democratic camp and Keiko Fujimori of the neoliberal camp in a tight second-round runoff focused on political instability and increasing crime. Approximately 27 million voters are eligible to vote for a five-year presidential term.
Who are the candidates?
In the first round of the election, which featured 35 presidential candidates, Fujimori advanced to the second round with only 17% of the vote, while Sanchez obtained approximately 12%. Fujimori is the daughter of former autocratic President Alberto Fujimori. In her fourth presidential bid, she has promised a hardline security stance, including stricter prisons and military deployment.
Meanwhile, Sanchez, a member of congress and former minister supported by former President Pedro Castillo, has promised to maintain economic stability while eradicating corruption. Last Friday, a judge ruled that Sanchez could stand trial on charges of campaign funding violations. Prosecutors have indicted the politician over alleged inconsistencies in his party’s financial reports. Sanchez is accused of receiving tens of thousands of dollars in unreported donations, though he denies the allegations.
Who have been Peru’s presidents in the last decade?
The vote takes place after years of political chaos in Peru, which has resulted in eight presidents since 2016:
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (July 2016 - March 2018)
Martin Vizcarra (March 2018 - November 2020)
Manuel Merino (10 November 2020 - 15 November 2020)
Francisco Sagasti (November 2020 - July 2021)
Pedro Castillo (July 2021 - December 2022)
Dina Boluarte (December 2022 - October 2025)
Jose Jeri (October 2025 - February 2026)
Jose Maria Balcazar (February 2026 - incumbent)
No candidate in this Sunday’s election holds a legislative majority, increasing the likelihood of continued instability. The winner will replace interim president Balcazar on 28 July.