Keiko Sofía Fujimori Higuchi has been inaugurated as the president of Peru following a narrow victory in a runoff election [1].
Her ascent to the presidency marks a historic shift in Peruvian politics, as she is the first woman to be elected to the office by popular vote [6]. Representing the right-wing Fuerza Popular party, Fujimori takes office after a period of intense electoral scrutiny and a deeply divided national vote [1], [2].
The road to the presidency began with the first round of voting held June 7, 2026 [4]. Following that initial stage, the election proceeded to a second-round runoff to determine the winner. The results of that runoff were officially certified June 29, 2026 [3].
Fujimori won the runoff by a margin of less than one percentage point [1]. This slim victory concluded a three-week vote-counting period that kept the nation in suspense regarding the final outcome [4].
Following the certification of the results, Fujimori was proclaimed president-elect and took the oath of office July 3, 2026 [2]. The swearing-in ceremony took place before the Congress of Lima [5].
After the formal proceedings at the Congress, the new president visited the Presidential Palace in Lima [5]. The visit carried personal significance, as Fujimori previously lived in the palace during the government of her father [6].
“Keiko Fujimori is the first woman elected to the presidency by popular vote.”
Fujimori's narrow victory and the three-week counting period suggest a highly polarized electorate. By returning to the Presidential Palace where her father once governed, she signals a potential return to the policies and political style of the Fujimori era, which may face significant opposition from those who oppose the Fuerza Popular platform.
