According to specialists and the lived experience of most people, Peruvian society is increasingly polarized. And an indicator that ratifies this is the slate of candidates for the second round of the Presidential Elections 2021 - 2026, -Keiko Fujimori from Fuerza Popular and Pedro Castillo from Perú Libre.
Two political parties located on the extremes (right and left) were the winners of the primary election in which 18 political parties participated. The absentee rate among voters was around 30% (the most significant figure in the last 20 years). The winners, Castillo and Fujimori, obtained 10.9% and 7.6%, respectively, of the total valid votes. These percentages demonstrate the lack of majority representation in crisis situations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the political, social, and economic crises.
Keiko Fujimori is the daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori who is prison for human rights crimes and corruption. She is a repeated presidential candidate who pledged not to run for president this term. Keiko Fujimori offers a "hard hand" and guarantees the continuity of the neoliberal economic model. She is currently being prosecuted for "the alleged commission of criminal organization with the aggravating circumstance of money laundering, including transfer, concealment and possession," according to the prosecutor's accusation. Fujimori's candidacy has great opposition through the citizens' movement "Fujimori Nunca Más" (Fujimori Never Again).
Who is Pedro Castillo? Unknown in the national political arena, he is a rural school teacher, and a teacher’s union leader. For many he is a "communist" who, if he wins, would destabilize the economic state, well managed by the last neoliberal regimes. He would also lead Peruvians to situations like those of Cuba and Venezuela. On the other hand, for his supporters, he is the one who will make possible the change that Peru needs for the good of the invisible majority of the country.
"Both represent a serious problem for democracy and the country," states Gustavo Gorriti, an independent research journalist. Neither of them guarantee respect for civil rights, public education with a gender equity perspective, the defense of human rights and the strengthening of democratic institutions. In view of this reality, organizations representing civil society are demonstrating, urging both candidates to commit themselves to respect a minimum agenda that has as its core to guarantee human rights and strengthen democratic institutions.
On the eve of the celebration of the Bicentennial of the Republic, Peru requires structural changes that consider the forgotten majorities found in the marginal urban and rural areas of the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown the real situation of our country and the role of the government in protecting the right to health. We occupy the first place in the world along with the Czech Republic for COVID-19 fatalities. Where are the results of the economic prosperity?
Hope is the last thing to be lost, according to popular wisdom. And, whoever wins, right or left, will have an organized civil society or not, to respond to the outrages that could be generated to the democratic system. "Do not let your hope be stolen," Pope Francis told us during his visit to Peru. And today more than ever his words resonate and encourage us. As a people and a society, let us be vigilant and active to protect what once was conquered and thus maintain the hope of a better Peru.
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