Peru’s Keiko Fujimori is poised to finally secure the presidency on her fourth attempt, after three previous election defeats. With nearly all votes counted in the June 7 runoff, Fujimori holds a narrow lead of approximately 43,000 votes over her leftist opponent, Roberto Sanchez, according to official electoral authorities. Fujimori currently commands 50.12 percent of the vote.

Fujimori’s political career is deeply intertwined with the legacy of her father, Alberto Fujimori, who led Peru through the 1990s. During his presidency, Alberto Fujimori was credited with suppressing the Maoist Shining Path insurgency and stabilizing the country’s economy. However, his administration also faced severe controversy, culminating in his exile and imprisonment for corruption and human rights violations. The Fujimori name remains highly divisive in Peru, contributing both loyal voter support and staunch opposition.

At 51, Keiko Fujimori has cultivated a political profile marked by years of legislative experience and leadership of her party, Fuerza Popular. Educated in the United States and raised in a politically prominent family, she has been involved in national politics since her youth, including serving as first lady at age 19 after her mother separated from Alberto Fujimori.

Although her political journey has been marred by allegations of corruption linked to the Odebrecht scandal—leading to over a year in pretrial detention—Fujimori has sought to soften her public image in recent years. During the campaign, she focused on restoring “order,” drawing on her father’s tough stance on crime, which is a principal concern for many Peruvians today. Her vice-presidential candidate, Miki Torres, described her as resilient and disciplined, emphasizing her ability to rebound from setbacks.

Critics argue that Fujimori and her party have contributed significantly to Peru’s political instability, highlighting Fuerza Popular’s dominant influence in Congress and its role in contentious political negotiations. The presence of her family name continues to evoke polarized views among voters, with many refusing to support her due to the shadow of her father’s controversial rule.

This election marks Fujimori’s first campaign since the death of Alberto Fujimori in 2024. As the official results near completion, the outcome signals a potentially significant moment in Peru’s political landscape, ending a long period of leadership changes—eight presidents since 2016—and ongoing national uncertainty.