Alberto Fujimori's Presidential Comeback: Possible or Impossible?

Alberto Fujimori, the 85-year-old former president of Peru, plans to run for the presidency again despite having fled amid corruption scandals and serving a prison sentence. His daughter Keiko announced his candidacy, but legal experts and analysts question its feasibility due to his previous convictions.

Alberto Fujimori, 85, who once governed Peru with authoritarian control, intends to run for president again amid a politically fractured landscape and lingering controversies over his past actions.

Announced by his daughter Keiko, who has failed in her own presidential bids, his candidacy comes after his release from prison last December following an appeals court decision to reinstate his pardon. Legal experts, however, express doubts about his eligibility, citing unresolved legal issues and previous convictions.

Constitutional lawyer Anibal Quiroga argues that despite his pardon, Fujimori's legal status remains unsettled due to Article 33 of Peru's constitution, which restricts political rights following criminal convictions. Additionally, Fujimori owes $15 million in civil damages for multiple cases, complicating the viability of his 2026 bid.

With over 30 parties registered for the upcoming elections, political analyst Gonzalo Banda suggests that Fujimori's intention is to restore his party's dominance on the right-wing spectrum, at a time when crime and violence dominate public concern. Banda notes that Fujimori's party is seeking to re-align with its hard-right policies, resonating with voters looking for tough stances on crime, akin to those of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

(With inputs from agencies.)