Peru’s first elected female president begins her five-year mandate after narrowly defeating leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez in a closely contested runoff election.
Keiko Fujimori, right-wing candidate, was sworn in on Tuesday as president of Peru for the 2026–2031 term, formally assuming the office after winning the recent presidential runoff by a narrow margin of fewer than 50,000 votes over leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez.
The daughter and political heir of former President Alberto Fujimori (1990–2000), began her presidential term during a ceremony held in the plenary session of Congress, symbolizing the return of Fujimorism to the Peruvian government, nearly 26 years after her father resigned via fax from Japan following the revelation of a major corruption scandal during his administration.
Fujimori, Peru’s first woman elected president, arrived at the Legislative Palace after meeting with foreign dignitaries attending the inauguration, including King Felipe VI of Spain and eight Latin American Presidents.
Fujimori was sworn in as president, pledging to uphold “national sovereignty, freedom, and democracy.”
“I swear that I will uphold and enforce the Constitution and the laws of Peru. I will safeguard the physical and moral integrity of all Peruvians, especially those who have historically been marginalized,” said the newly elected Peruvian president.
“While respecting freedom of worship, I will recognize the importance of the Catholic Church in Peru’s cultural and moral development. I will work toward a safe, prosperous, and united country,” She added.
After taking the oath of office, Fujimori received the presidential sash from his second vice president, Miguel Ángel Torres, in his capacity as president of the Senate.
Fujimori is expected to deliver her first address as head of state outlining the initial measures of her administration. She will then walk to the Government Palace in Lima, entering the building for the first time as president, after having lived there as a young woman during her father’s presidency.
At the palace, she intends to host a luncheon for the visiting delegates, and later oversee the official swearing-in ceremony for her cabinet, whose key members have already been announced.
First Vice President Luis Galarreta will serve as prime minister, the Foreign Affairs portfolio will be held by journalist and former presidential candidate Carlos Espá, who backed Fujimori in the runoff election, and the Economy and Finance portfolio will be assumed by Elmer Cuba, who served on the Central Bank’s board of directors (2016–2020).
