Overview
- Keiko Fujimori and Rafael López Aliaga opened campaign activity in Trujillo to lock in the north’s “derecha popular” base, with experts expecting the region’s vote to divide mainly among Fuerza Popular, Renovación Popular and Alianza para el Progreso.
- The 2026 contest features 39 parties or alliances and more than 10,000 congressional candidates, creating an unusually crowded ballot.
- Specialists caution that, given the fragmentation, a candidate with only about 8–9% support could advance to a presidential runoff, heightening concerns about governability and the potential rise of extremist or populist options.
- Analysts view northern results as pivotal not only for accessing a runoff slot but also for clearing the electoral threshold required under the new system.
- Integrity questions continue to shadow the race, with Acción Popular hit by the ‘Los Niños’ case—15 of 24 denounced lawmakers were elected with the party—while Congresswoman Ariana Orué denies misuse of staff and alleges she has been surveilled.