Following the runoff, the vote count conducted by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) for the final results of the 2026 Presidential Elections continues to fluctuate between the two candidates. And while this is happening, Peru finds itself divided and polarized by two political platforms that have been presented, with some variations, for decades now in presidential elections: the right and the left.
Conservative Right
On one side, Keiko Fujimori (Fuerza Popular) represents the Peruvian right’s platform, which is conservative (especially on issues such as gender and abortion) and authoritarian (proposing “order” and a heavy-handed approach through the strengthening of the Armed Forces and the National Police), in addition to an “anti-corruption shock.” Additionally, she advocates for reducing the role of the state and a “deregulatory shock” to boost investment and the free market.
According to current results, her main supporters are found in urban and coastal areas (63%): the city of Lima, where she received 66.1% of the vote, and in Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Callao, and Ica; as well as in the central region (Pasco) and the jungle region (Loreto and Ucayali), and among the overseas vote.
According to experts, Fujimorism has a core base of support that remains steadfast despite the #NoAKeiko and #PorEstosNo campaigns, driven primarily by its conservative, free-market platform, which safeguards the economic and social status of urban areas—its main allies.
The Left and the Social Market Economy
Meanwhile, Roberto Sánchez (Juntos por el Perú) represents the Peruvian left, without an emphasis on ideology but with a strong regional and rural identity, promoting a social market economy and an active role for the state. Sánchez’s new government plan addressed social demands for the repeal of pro-crime laws, support for micro and small enterprises (MSEs), justice and reparations for victims of the protests, among others.
According to today’s results, his main supporters are distributed across the regions (56.1%), in the south of the country—such as Apurímac, Ayacucho, Arequipa, Cajamarca, Cusco, Moquegua, Puno, and Tacna—in the center (Huancavelica, Junín), and in the jungle (Amazonas, Huánuco, Madre de Dios, and San Martín).
Voters for Roberto Sánchez (Together for Peru) are located in 17 regions (out of 25 in total), particularly in rural areas, motivated by long-standing demands (dating back more than two decades) such as social justice, greater state presence and decentralization, employment, and quality education and healthcare; and in recent years, public safety concerns.
The difference in approach between these two trends has generated polarization among the Peruvian population, which, while not reaching the violent levels of previous elections (2021: Pedro Castillo), hinders the dialogue and political exchange that the current situation demands. Good governance, with active participation from the population, requires reducing differences and finding common ground.
