Lima, Peru – With just weeks remaining before the April 12 presidential election, a recent poll indicates that left-wing candidate Alfonso Lopez Chau is gaining ground on the two leading right-wing contenders.
Tight Race for Peru’s Presidency
The Datum Internacional survey, conducted March 6-10 and released Sunday, shows Rafael Lopez Aliaga with 11.4% of the vote and Keiko Fujimori with 10.9%. These numbers are close enough to suggest a technical tie, given the poll’s margin of error of +/-2.5%.
Lopez Chau, an economist and former central bank director representing Juntos por el Peru, has increased his support from 5.1% to 6.5% since the prior poll. Retired air force general Wolfgang Crozo placed fourth with 5.1%.
A History of Political Change
Keiko Fujimori is attempting to win the presidency for the fourth time. She is the daughter of Alberto Fujimori, the former president who was imprisoned 16 years ago for human rights abuses.
Currently, 36.7% of Peruvian voters are undecided or plan not to vote, a figure that remains elevated compared to the 18% registered at a similar point in the 2021 election cycle.
What’s Next?
As no first-round winner is anticipated, a run-off vote is expected in June. The new president is scheduled to assume power at the end of July. Peru, the world’s third-biggest copper producer, has so far demonstrated resilience to political shocks, with its economy expanding 3.54% year-on-year in January due to increased production of copper, zinc, gold, and silver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the leading candidates in the Peruvian presidential election?
Rafael Lopez Aliaga and Keiko Fujimori are currently the frontrunners, with 11.4% and 10.9% of the vote respectively, according to a recent Datum Internacional survey.
Has Alfonso Lopez Chau gained any ground in the polls?
Yes, Alfonso Lopez Chau has increased his support from 5.1% to 6.5% since the prior poll.
When will Peru’s next president take office?
The new president will assume power at the end of July.
Given the close race and significant number of undecided voters, what factors do you believe will ultimately sway the outcome of Peru’s presidential election?
