Peru’s presidential election hung in the balance late on Monday, with the economist Pedro Pablo Kuczynski holding a narrow lead over Keiko Fujimori, daughter of a disgraced former president. With 95.36 per cent of votes counted, Mr Kuczynski was marginally ahead with 50.2 per cent, while Ms Fujimori was on 49.8 per cent. In an election where 17m Peruvians cast ballots, Mr Kuczynski’s lead was a little over 59,000 votes. But given the remoteness of some parts of Peru, as well as votes coming from overseas, the final result could be delayed until later this week. Ms Fujimori has lost a lead over the past week that had been as high as 8 percentage points after Mr Kuczynski ran a campaign focused on her father Alberto Fujimori. The once autocratic president is now serving time in prison for crimes against humanity.
Battle lines were drawn over those favouring and those fearing the return to office of a Fujimori. Mr Kuczynski, a former Wall Street banker and World Bank economist, won support from leftwingers seeking to prevent Ms Fujimori from winning.
… Even if Ms Fujimori’s loses it will not end her influence. Her Popular Force party controls just under 60 per cent of the seats in congress compared with 15 per cent for Mr Kuczynski’s Peruvians for Change party. Mr Humala, who is constitutionally barred from seeking immediate re-election, is scheduled to hand over the presidency next month.
Full Article: Peru election comes down to last few votes – FT.com.
