Fujimori, 51, becomes Peru's first woman elected by popular vote to lead the country after narrowly defeating leftist Roberto Sánchez in a runoff.
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Keiko Fujimori was sworn in as president of Peru on Tuesday, July 28, marking the ninth change of government in the country within a decade. The 51-year-old daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) took the oath before the bicameral Congress, with Senate president Miguel Torres administering the ceremony and placing the presidential sash on her.
"I, Keiko Fujimori Higuchi, swear before you by God and by the homeland, on these holy gospels, that I will faithfully exercise the office of president that the nation has entrusted to me for the period 2026-2031," Fujimori said during the ceremony.
Fujimori becomes the first woman elected by popular vote in Peru's republican history. She won the June runoff election against leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez of Juntos por el Perú by a narrow margin of fewer than 50,000 votes. The victory came after three consecutive failed presidential bids in 2011, 2016, and 2021.
The ceremony took place in Congress amid visible political polarization. While Fujimori's parliamentary supporters applauded and cheered her arrival, left-wing legislators remained silent and displayed photographs of victims of state violence and repression following the fall of former president Pedro Castillo (2021-2022).
International delegations attended the inauguration, including representatives from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, South Korea, China, and Japan. Fujimori held meetings with foreign officials at the Foreign Ministry on Monday and Tuesday, including with Spain's King Felipe VI, with whom she reaffirmed bilateral ties and cooperation commitments. She also met with delegations from South Korea, China, and Japan.
Fujimori inherits an economy showing favorable conditions. Economic growth is projected to exceed 3 percent this year according to various entities. Business confidence indicators from Peru's Central Reserve Bank surged following her election, with entrepreneurs anticipating increased investment, hiring, and consumer demand. Jorge Zapata, president of the National Confederation of Private Business Institutions (Confiep), stated that the scenario presents an opportunity to reactivate new projects and increase investment, though maintaining that confidence will depend on the new government's initial decisions.
During her campaign, Fujimori promised a hardline approach against crime. In remarks made on July 15, she addressed those who did not vote for her, saying: "I want to speak to those who did not vote for me. I promise you that we will put the State at the service of the population to end that inequality and confrontation that suffocates us as a society."
Fujimori's return to the presidency marks a significant moment for the Fujimori political movement, which had been out of power for more than 26 years. Her father, Alberto Fujimori, resigned by fax from Japan in 2000 as his government collapsed amid an extensive corruption scandal. He later served 16 years in prison for corruption and murder before his death in 2024. Keiko lived in the presidential palace as first lady following her parents' 1994 divorce.
Fujimori took office Tuesday after winning her fourth presidential campaign by fewer than 50,000 votes, returning her family's political movement to power after nearly three decades.
Fujimori won 9.22 million votes to Roberto Sánchez's 9.17 million. She will be sworn in July 28 for the 2026-2031 term.
With almost 94% of votes counted, Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez are separated by less than one percentage point in Peru's runoff election.
Roberto Sánchez requested nullification of votes cast abroad, which could affect nearly 300,000 ballots in a race where Keiko Fujimori leads by over 40,000 votes.
Keiko Fujimori countered Roberto Sánchez's proposal to hold a debate in Chota, Cajamarca, suggesting Lima locations instead.
Piero Corvetto stepped down from Peru's electoral office after the April 12 presidential vote faced irregularities, ballot issues, and extended counting delays.