Loader
Advertisement

Keiko Fujimori takes office as Peru's president, vowing to end decade of instability

Peru's president-elect Keiko Fujimori arrives at the Foreign Ministry ahead of her inauguration in Lima on 28 July 2026.
Peru's president-elect Keiko Fujimori arrives at the Foreign Ministry in Lima before her inauguration on 28 July 2026. Copyright  Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Copyright Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
By Rafael Salido & Greta Ruffino
Published on
Share Comments Add Euronews on Google
Share Close Button

The Popular Force leader becomes Peru's first female president, returning Fujimorism to power after 26 years. She is due to deliver her inaugural address and unveil her cabinet. King Felipe VI attended the ceremony in Lima.

Conservative leader Keiko Fujimori was sworn in as Peru's president on Tuesday after narrowly winning June's election by fewer than 50,000 votes, becoming the country's first female head of state.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The 51-year-old leader of the Popular Force party, whose father Alberto Fujimori ruled Peru from 1990 to 2000, takes office promising to restore political stability, tackle rising crime and revive economic growth after a decade of political turmoil.

Peru has had nine presidents in the past decade, with only three elected by popular vote. The others took office after their predecessors resigned or were removed by Congress, often amid corruption scandals.

Peru's President Keiko Fujimori walks to the presidential palace after her inauguration in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, 28 July, 2026.
Peru's President Keiko Fujimori walks to the presidential palace after her inauguration in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, 28 July, 2026. AP Photo

Fujimori enters office with strong congressional backing. Her Popular Force party and its main ally, Popular Renovation, control half the seats in the newly installed Senate, making it more difficult for lawmakers to remove the president.

Security was at the centre of Fujimori's campaign as Peru grapples with growing organised crime and extortion. She has pledged to govern with an "iron fist," including plans to build a mega-prison modelled on El Salvador's Cecot facility and allow judges to conceal their identities during criminal trials for security reasons.

She has also pledged to boost infrastructure investment by making it easier for government agencies to partner with private investors.

Opposition leaders have urged Fujimori's incoming administration to repeal laws passed by the previous Congress that critics say have weakened efforts to combat organised crime.

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share Comments Add Euronews on Google

Read more

Magnitude 5.1 earthquake in central Peru leaves at least five dead and ten injured

Peru clowns fill Lima streets for annual Day of Laughter parade

Keiko Fujimori takes office as Peru's president, vowing to end decade of instability