Keiko Fujimori Wins Peru Presidency in Closely Fought Election

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Lima : Keiko Fujimori has been declared the winner of Peru's presidential election after narrowly defeating left-wing rival Roberto Sanchez in a tightly contested runoff, marking her first victory after three unsuccessful attempts to secure the country's top office.

Official results showed Fujimori won by fewer than 50,000 votes out of more than 18 million ballots cast. She is set to take office on July 28 for a 5 year term.

In a message posted after her victory was confirmed, Fujimori said Peru now had an opportunity to move towards stability and hope. She later acknowledged the country's deep political divisions and pledged to keep the door open for dialogue with all sides.

The election centred on growing concerns over crime and political instability. Fujimori campaigned on promises to take a tougher approach to organised crime, as Peru faces increasing cases of extortion and contract killings.

Her victory also returns the Fujimori name to Peru's presidential palace more than two decades after the fall of her father, former president Alberto Fujimori. His legacy remains highly controversial. While some credit him with defeating Maoist insurgents and stabilising the economy during the 1990s, others remember his government for corruption and human rights abuses, for which he later served prison time.

Roberto Sanchez had not commented after the official results were announced. During the vote count, he briefly led before Fujimori overtook him. He had earlier said he would not recognise a government led by Fujimori, alleging irregularities in the handling of overseas votes.

Fujimori's victory adds Peru to a growing list of Latin American countries that have recently elected right-leaning leaders amid public frustration over rising crime and prolonged political uncertainty.

Pic Credit: AFP