Peru to vote for president amid deep political crisis: here’s what you need to know |
Peru will vote for a new president on April 12, amid a deep political and institutional crisis.
The Andean country held its last presidential elections in 2021, in which Pedro Castillo won. However, Castillo remained in power for only a year and a half. Since then, Peru has had three presidents, two of them chosen by Congress.
Current leader José María Balcázar is not eligible to run, as presidents need to have completed a full 5-year term to be reelected.
Peru’s crisis of representation is reflected in the highly fragmented field of candidates in the election: an unprecedented number of 35 contenders will compete. A 36th candidate died in a car crash on March 15.
The result is a bizarrely large single paper ballot (which will be used in Peru’s national elections for the first time). It will be 42×42 centimeters.
In addition to a new president and vice president, Peruvians will also renew its members of Congress, with around 10,000 candidates for almost 200 seats between the senate, the lower house, and the regional Andean Parliament.
The country doesn’t hold primaries, so all those who have registered to be candidates will compete in the general election — which is part of the reason why there are so many competitors. The requirements were also modified, making it easier to register.
Electors are skeptical and indecisive, as 60% still don’t know who to vote for less than two weeks away from the election, according to recent polls.
None of the candidates surpass 13% of vote intention. A presidential candidate needs at least 50% of the vote to win, so there will likely be a runoff in........