Presidential elections in Peru

Presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Peru on 12 April. The ongoing vote count suggests that Keiko Fujimori of the conservative Fuerza Popular party has won the election with 17 per cent of the vote. In light of this result, a second round of voting will be necessary on 7 June. It remains to be seen who will advance to this round as the runner-up: Left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez and conservative candidate Rafael López Aliaga are locked in a neck-and-neck race, each with 12 per cent of the vote. One must wait for the final vote count. Election day was marked by disruption due to the delayed delivery of polling materials in the city of Lima. The opening of 13 polling stations had to be postponed until the following day. In the regions, initial reports suggest the elections proceeded in an orderly manner and without major incidents. Peru’s foreign policy has traditionally followed a long-term approach, and this is likely to continue under a new government of any political persuasion. Germany and the EU should continue to make constructive use of this openness in foreign policy.