Keiko Fujimori of the Fuerza Popular party and Roberto Sánchez of Juntos por el Perú squared off in their final televised debate on Sunday night, holding a high-stakes exchange exactly one week before the June 7 presidential runoff. The event, organized by the National Jury of Elections (JNE) at the Lima Convention Center, forced the candidates to confront their diverging platforms on citizen security, democratic institutions, human rights, health, education, and economic recovery.
According to La Tercera, the debate served as a final opportunity for both candidates to trade accusations and court undecided voters. Fujimori framed the choice facing Peru as a binary between order and chaos, positioning her team as the only force capable of delivering stability. Sánchez countered by criticizing the legislative history of the Fujimorista camp, arguing that the country requires a democratic renewal that provides opportunities for all citizens.
The debate’s most contentious segment focused on citizen security. Fujimori proposed a "National Pacification Plan," which includes deploying the Armed Forces to border regions and implementing mandatory labor for prison inmates. Sánchez used the platform to attack his opponent, blaming previous Fujimorista-led Congresses for enacting laws he claims emboldened criminal activity. He called for the professionalization of the National Police and demanded "civil death for corrupt officials," claiming that such individuals have effectively "corroded justice."
On the economic front, the two candidates offered starkly different paths to poverty reduction. Sánchez advocated for increased investment in the social program 'Juntos' and stressed the importance of national industrialization to create jobs. Fujimori, conversely, pushed for a zero-tax policy for micro and small businesses, alongside expanded access to soft credit. "Poverty is not reduced with speeches, but with employment," Fujimori stated during the session.
In their final closing statements, the candidates made their last appeals to the electorate. Sánchez urged voters to reject the influence of Fujimorismo, telling the public, "We must recover order in truth, not the 'Kaos' of Mrs. K," while committing to leading the country with justice and equity. Fujimori, acknowledging past political errors, asked for the opportunity to govern and focus on infrastructure projects. She emphasized the need for national unity, stating, "I do not ask you to leave our differences behind, but that, despite them, we can bet on building together for a better Peru."
