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Pedro Pablo Kuczynski narrowly ahead in Peru presidential election Pedro Pablo Kuczynski narrowly ahead in Peru presidential election
(3 months later)
Peru’s former prime minister Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has a narrow lead over Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of an imprisoned former authoritarian leader, in the country’s presidential election, partial results show.Peru’s former prime minister Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has a narrow lead over Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of an imprisoned former authoritarian leader, in the country’s presidential election, partial results show.
With 78% of all votes counted early on Monday, Kuczynski – known in Peru by his initials PPK – had 50.8% support and Fujimori 49.2%.With 78% of all votes counted early on Monday, Kuczynski – known in Peru by his initials PPK – had 50.8% support and Fujimori 49.2%.
Fujimori had for long been the favourite to win the election, but support for her melted away in the final days of campaigning as Peruvians weighed the legacy of her father, Alberto Fujimori, and fresh scandals involving her close advisers.Fujimori had for long been the favourite to win the election, but support for her melted away in the final days of campaigning as Peruvians weighed the legacy of her father, Alberto Fujimori, and fresh scandals involving her close advisers.
“It’s clear that PPK won,” said Alfredo Torres, the director of Ipsos in Peru. “The gap is no longer narrowing but widening.”“It’s clear that PPK won,” said Alfredo Torres, the director of Ipsos in Peru. “The gap is no longer narrowing but widening.”
Related: 'Network of corruption': Fujimori’s legacy at heart of fierce battle for Peru's future
Final results in what appears to be Peru’s closest election in at least three decades are expected later on Monday.Final results in what appears to be Peru’s closest election in at least three decades are expected later on Monday.
Kuczynski, 77, a former Wall Street investor and World Bank economist, portrayed himself as an honest and experienced leader who would clean up corruption, ensure every town in Peru has piped water, and revive economic growth that has slowed due to weaker prices for Peru’s mineral exports.Kuczynski, 77, a former Wall Street investor and World Bank economist, portrayed himself as an honest and experienced leader who would clean up corruption, ensure every town in Peru has piped water, and revive economic growth that has slowed due to weaker prices for Peru’s mineral exports.
Despite endorsing Fujimori during her first presidential bid, in 2011, Kuczynski swept up the support of her critics from across the political spectrum and stepped up attacks against her in the final days of campaigning.Despite endorsing Fujimori during her first presidential bid, in 2011, Kuczynski swept up the support of her critics from across the political spectrum and stepped up attacks against her in the final days of campaigning.
“We want a democratic country, a country committed to dialogue,” Kuczynski said as he waved to supporters from a balcony at his campaign headquarters on Sunday evening before the partial count was announced.“We want a democratic country, a country committed to dialogue,” Kuczynski said as he waved to supporters from a balcony at his campaign headquarters on Sunday evening before the partial count was announced.
While both candidates are fiscal conservatives who would maintain a free-market model, their styles and approaches differ widely. The campaign pitted the Fujimori family’s brand of rightwing populism against Kuczynski’s elite background and stiff technocratic style.While both candidates are fiscal conservatives who would maintain a free-market model, their styles and approaches differ widely. The campaign pitted the Fujimori family’s brand of rightwing populism against Kuczynski’s elite background and stiff technocratic style.
“Peru will be much better off with PPK. I’m very proud that Peru remembered what happened years ago. I have family members who had to leave the country because of Fujimori,” said Alexandra Gamarra, a 25-year-old university student.“Peru will be much better off with PPK. I’m very proud that Peru remembered what happened years ago. I have family members who had to leave the country because of Fujimori,” said Alexandra Gamarra, a 25-year-old university student.
If he wins, Kuczynski will have to reckon with a solid majority of Fujimori’s party in Congress and a leftist party that has promised not to align with either of them.If he wins, Kuczynski will have to reckon with a solid majority of Fujimori’s party in Congress and a leftist party that has promised not to align with either of them.
Fujimori, 41, a former congresswoman, has spent years trying to broaden her appeal beyond those loyal to her father in her attempt to become Peru’s first female president.Fujimori, 41, a former congresswoman, has spent years trying to broaden her appeal beyond those loyal to her father in her attempt to become Peru’s first female president.
Many Peruvians credit Alberto Fujimori with defeating violent Shining Path rebels and building schools and hospitals in rural areas when he was president from 1990 to 2000. But his authoritarian style divided the country and he is now serving a 25-year sentence for corruption and human rights abuses.Many Peruvians credit Alberto Fujimori with defeating violent Shining Path rebels and building schools and hospitals in rural areas when he was president from 1990 to 2000. But his authoritarian style divided the country and he is now serving a 25-year sentence for corruption and human rights abuses.
In an emotional speech before the partial count was known, Fujimori thanked her supporters and remained upbeat. “This is a tight vote without a doubt … what we’re seeing is the vitality of democracy in our country, and that fills me with pride,” Fujimori said as she gave the crowd the thumbs-up.In an emotional speech before the partial count was known, Fujimori thanked her supporters and remained upbeat. “This is a tight vote without a doubt … what we’re seeing is the vitality of democracy in our country, and that fills me with pride,” Fujimori said as she gave the crowd the thumbs-up.
Fujimori ousted her father’s staunchest defenders from her party’s congressional ticket at the start of her campaign, criticised his decision to close Congress in 1992 and stepped up campaigning in provinces she lost to the leftist candidate Ollanta Humala five years ago.Fujimori ousted her father’s staunchest defenders from her party’s congressional ticket at the start of her campaign, criticised his decision to close Congress in 1992 and stepped up campaigning in provinces she lost to the leftist candidate Ollanta Humala five years ago.
Still, many voters remained wary, especially after a senior aide stepped down amid allegations that linked him to money-laundering and drug trafficking.Still, many voters remained wary, especially after a senior aide stepped down amid allegations that linked him to money-laundering and drug trafficking.
Local journalists later accused her running mate of feeding them a doctored audio tape in an attempt to discredit a source – a reminder of the days when her father’s advisers bribed tabloids to sway public opinion.Local journalists later accused her running mate of feeding them a doctored audio tape in an attempt to discredit a source – a reminder of the days when her father’s advisers bribed tabloids to sway public opinion.
Fujimori has defended her team and said her party was the victim of a smear campaign.Fujimori has defended her team and said her party was the victim of a smear campaign.