Keiko Fujimori wins Peru presidency after tightly contested election

Peru's conservative president-elect Keiko Fujimori has won the country's presidential election after narrowly defeating left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez, marking the latest electoral victory for the political right in Latin America.

Fujimori secured victory in the June 7 runoff by fewer than 50,000 votes out of more than 18 million ballots cast, according to the final results released after weeks of reviews of contested ballots, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Peru's National Electoral Jury is scheduled to officially announce the winner on July 3.

"Each time we draw closer to starting on the path of order and hope for all Peruvians," Fujimori wrote on X after being proclaimed the winner.

The 51-year-old daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori won the presidency on her fourth attempt.

The election was dominated by concerns over rising crime and chronic political instability in the Andean nation, which has had eight presidents in the past decade.

Fujimori campaigned on restoring security, pledging a tough approach to crime.

Her father, Alberto Fujimori, was credited by supporters with defeating Maoist insurgents and bringing hyperinflation under control, but was later jailed on corruption charges and for crimes against humanity committed during the country's fight against terrorism.

Sanchez had not reacted to the announcement of the results.

He briefly led the vote count before Fujimori overtook him. During the post-election process, Sanchez said he would not recognise a government led by Fujimori, alleging administrative irregularities in the handling of overseas ballots.

Fujimori is due to take office on July 28 for a five-year term.

During the campaign, she sought to soften her public image after years of being seen as a confrontational political figure.

The Fujimori name has given her strong voter recognition and an established political base, but it has also remained deeply divisive, with many Peruvians opposing her because of memories of her father's rule.

Critics also blame Fujimori and her Fuerza Popular party for contributing to Peru's prolonged political instability through their influence in Congress.

By Aghakazim Guliyev