Fujimori leads Peru vote with 16.5% datum exit poll

Peru’s presidential election on April 12, 2026, saw right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori emerge as the early leader, according to a Datum International exit poll, which placed her at 16.5% of the vote. With 35 candidates in the race and no candidate securing more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election is expected on June 7. Fujimori, the daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, is making her fourth presidential bid and has positioned herself as a stabilizing force amid rising crime and political instability.

The political landscape in Peru remains fragmented, with 16.8% of voters still undecided, down from 23.9% in earlier surveys. Popular comedian Carlos Alvarez rose to second place with 10.9%, while far-right former Lima mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga dropped to third with 9.9%. Analysts note that candidates must now compete for each other’s voter base rather than targeting undecided voters.

Political instability has been a hallmark of Peru’s recent governance, with seven presidents since 2016 and no president completing a full term. This has fueled widespread distrust in traditional political parties and elites, creating fertile ground for outsider candidates and populists. However, such late-rising candidates often face challenges in forming stable governing coalitions and securing a clear mandate.

The election also carries broader geopolitical implications, as Peru’s deepening economic ties with China—its largest trading partner—have raised concerns in Washington. The outcome will influence the country’s policy direction and its role in regional and global economic dynamics.