Peru presidential election to see run-off between Fujimori and most-likely Kuczynski

World Today

Peru’s presidential election is heading for a run-off between Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori and most-likely, the economist Pedro Kuczynski.

CCTV America’s Dan Collyns reports from Lima, Peru.

One step closer to a possible victory, Keiko Fujimori’s supporters gathered at campaign headquarters. Initial results backed by exit polls showed their candidate had convincingly won the first round with nearly 40 percent of the vote.

“We expect it to be a second round with proposals, with ideas, And we invite all Peruvians on June 5 to choose change, to choose the future, because the future of Peru is already on its way. Thank you!,” Fujimori said.

Most likely to join in her in the second round is Wall street’s candidate 77-year-old Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, also known as PPK.

“To young people– those who are chronologically young and those who are young in spirit–who think tomorrow should be a much better day. Thank you all. Let’s move forward. Long live Peru! Long live all of you!” Kuczynski said to a crowd.

The economist who served as Peru’s prime minister is viewed by his supporters as a steady hand the country’s free market economy. Lima’s stock exchange rose by more than 10 points at the news there were two candidates who wouldn’t alter Peru’s economic model.

Some saw that threatened by 35-year-old leftist Veronika Mendoza who surged in the polls promising radical change but came third in the vote.

Despite her impressive lead, Fujimori won’t necessarily have an easy win. Opinion polls show about half of Peruvians said they would never vote for her.

Her father, Alberto Fujimori is still serving a lengthy jail term for corruption and human right abuses committed in his 1990s government.


Joseph Humire of Center for Free Society on Peru elections

CCTV America’s Elaine Reyes interviewed Joseph Humire, the executive director of the Center for a Free Society, about the Peru elections.