San Francisco Frontiers - Keiko Fujimori: Peru's biggest political loser inches toward victory

But on this, her fourth attempt, the daughter of disgraced former president Alberto Fujimori may have a last best chance at power, riding a right‑wing wave sweeping Latin America.

Ballots are still being counted from Sunday's poll, which was marred by a series of logistical foul-ups, but the 50‑year‑old is ahead and the only candidate virtually assured of reaching the runoff.

Poised and polished, with a sharp pantsuit and a perfect smile, Fujimori looks like someone raised for politics.

The divorced mother of two has been a congresswoman and party leader. She became first lady at 19, after her mother denounced her father for corruption.

While her rivals stumble through speeches, Fujimori speaks with ease. She looks every inch the political operative.

Educated in the United States, she has dealt with emperors, queens and presidents, most notably her father.

- Dynasty -

Alberto Fujimori ruled Peru through the turbulent 1990s and became one of its most consequential and polarizing leaders.

The son of Japanese migrants, he won praise for crushing hyperinflation and defeating the Maoist Shining Path insurgency.

He was later disgraced, exiled and jailed for running death squads and embezzling millions of dollars from state funds.

For decades, the Fujimori name has helped and haunted Keiko, a political inheritance comparable to the Bushes, Bhuttos or Sukarnos.

It gave her an identity, a loyal support base, vast resources and instant recognition. She may be the only one of 35 candidates known by every Peruvian.

"She does not have to fight to be known. She is already a brand," said political scientist Jorge Aragon.

This fourth bid "may well be the one that works," he said.

Alberto died in September 2024, making this Keiko's first campaign without her father. But that does not mean he is absent.

Keiko frequently refers to him. Her offices are filled with paintings and busts in his likeness.

She visited his grave on election morning.

"I miss him," Keiko told AFP. "But everywhere I go, people remind me of him and tell me anecdotes, which is the loveliest thing."

"What I love most is when they say, 'Her father came and the dog bit him' or 'her father came and I stepped on him.'"

- The 'enemy' -

Millions of Peruvians hold darker memories of Alberto and refuse to vote for a Fujimori.

Keiko has also been jailed multiple times in relation to corruption allegations.

Keiko believes that opposition to her family has been an organizing principle of a series of presidents who beat her at the ballot box.

"In the last 25 years, we have been governed by anti‑Fujimori governments," she said, sparing only Alan Garcia.

"All the others focused on insults and generating hatred and division."

Now, with crime surging and nostalgia for iron‑fist rule growing, she clearly believes the Fujimori name is an asset.

"I believe that time and history are giving my father the place he deserves," she said.

"When Peru is bleeding from criminals and extortionists, what they are asking for is a Fujimori. Well, here I am."

She has promised to restore order in her first 100 days.

Fujimori has also changed her tone. Once openly confrontational, she says she now favours consensus and debate.

"I have made mistakes," she said, "in being very confrontational."

Sometimes, these old instincts still surface. On election night, with conservatives polling strongly, she declared the leftist "enemy" defeated.

If she wins, consensus and coalition-building will matter. Several Peruvian presidents have been impeached, ousted or jailed after clashing with Congress.

"In future when people think of Fujimori" she hopes they think of both her and her father.

"The bar is set high, and I hope to clear it," she said.

F.Young--SFF