The Peruvian Elections = Way Different

In America when I have had the opportunity to vote, I have always felt in some ways that my vote was worthless.  It seems like the system is set up where one vote couldn’t make a difference.  In principal I know it can, but in concept I have a hard time swallowing that pill.  So I really had to push myself to get “into” things.  

When I came to Peru and the Presidential Elections started I began to think the same.  They are a democracy and I was sure the system is set up similar to America, boring...

Then I started to see thousands and thousands of signs EVERYWHERE.  I began looking on facebook and seeing people of all ages saying which candidates to vote for and why.  Specifically I saw young people who were really invested in the process.  So I decided to find out more about why things seemed so different, especially considering the elections are this Sunday.

One of the first things I found out is that Peruvians are required to vote.  Voting isn’t a choice, it is an obligation.  If you do not vote, you will receive a fine.  If you don’t pay the fine, you can’t do certain things; (and the fine is not cheap).  Furthermore, the voting system is set up differently then what we are used to.

There are several different political parties in Peru, and all of them seem to have very strong candidates.  So one of the ways that the political system allows people to have a voice is to do two rounds of voting.  So in the first round people vote, which pushes forward two candidates.  Then the people vote again in July between the two candidates.  Then the newly elected President will serve for the next five years!

The day before elections, the day of elections, and the day after elections NO ONE can sell or carry firearms.  (Police and the military obviously can, in case there was an uprising.)  Another interesting thing is that there can be no public gathering at all during the voting hours on the day of the election.  No church services, no live television shows for entertainment, no rallies, no group meetings or protests...nothing.  Election Day is truly election day.

Now about the candidates...

I want to focus on four people.  They are the most likely candidates to be pushed through to the next round.

Keiko Fujimori Higuchi

Ms. Fujimori is a very intriguing choice.  Although her name is Japanese, which she is racially, she was born and raised in Peru.  Her father is the famous Alberto Fujimori, the former President of Peru.  He is famous for ending terrorism in Peru, by completely wiping out the Shining Path.  Unfortunately in doing so, he preformed utterly devastating human rights violations.  He was also rather corrupt in his dealings with National Money.

Back to Ms. Keiko...

She is so interesting because people fear that she is going to be a puppet for her father who is now in jail.  While her father was President, he divorced his wife, naming Keiko the First Lady of Peru.  She was only 19 years old.  Although she is viewed as a puppet for Daddy she has had quite a strong stand alone political career for being only 36 years old.  She is well spoken, well educated, and articulate with all things.  She would also be the very first female President of Peru, if she is elected.

Although her focus is about improving Peru and giving to the poor, she is still overshadowed by her father.  Just think how many times I have brought him up as I talk about her.  Consequently I do not believe she will have a strong enough chance to move to the second round.  Her Dad needs to be in jail longer before people would feel comfortable with her being President.

(Here is more info on her- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keiko_Fujimori)

(Here is more info on her father- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Fujimori)

Alejandro Toledo Manrique

Mr. Toledo was the former President of Peru from 2001-2006.  He is currently tied in the polls for second.  

He is the rags to riches story.  His father was a blue collar worker, laying bricks and his mother worked in the fishing industry.  Mr. Toledo has been a hard worker from a young age, and he can most certainly attribute his success to his own hands.  He played soccer and pumped gas to get his Bachelors.  He would eventually attend Standford, receiving a Masters in economics, Masters in education, and a PhD in Economics (Human Resources related).

You can see Mr. Toledo is well educated, and he understands what not having money is like.  Unfortunately his former presidency was scattered with numerous scandals, ranging from his salary, to an illegitimate daughter, to his wife stealing national treasures from the State.  Although I have not confirmed the second one, it is a rumor that is going around, and Peruvians do not taken their history lightly.  So if someone is stealing ancient artifacts, people may not be happy.

To me there is nothing special about his candidacy. However, he is a safe choice.  He is clearly prepared for the Presidency, having held the title once before.  The most important thing is that he would probably continue many of the programs that the current President has set in place to help keep the economy well on track.

(Here is more info on him- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Toledo_Manrique)

Ollanta Humala Tasso (Gana Perú)

One word: SCARY!!!  

Mr. Humala is a former military commander, and was a part of the military during Fujimori’s presidency.  Not only has he had charges pressed against him for human rights violations (torture, forced disappearance, and murder), he also led a revolt against his commanding officers.  

Mr. Humala is playing his role as the People’s Choice.  When he led a revolt against Fujimori’s regime, Humala was looked at by many as a hero.  A man that had a backbone when no one else would.  He is all about nationalism, and spreading the wealth.  What does this mean?

Let me tell you... Mr. Humala is currently in the lead and his party platform is supported by... dun, dun, dun... HUGO CHAVEZ!!!  There is a debate that Humala is financially supported by Chavez, however he is most certainly supported by Chavez and his platform.

Everything with Mr. Humala is in the shadows, which is scary.  In Presidential debates he would not answers specific questions directed at him.  He says that he is open to free trade with places like Europe and America.  Unfortunately he is well known for supporting Venezuela, which means no free trade.  He also plans to nationalize everything, and kick out all foreign products and companies.  Can you say dark ages?

I have asked myself why he is so popular.  So I looked at the previous election he ran in, and the voting distribution.  All the places he received his vote are known to be moderately to severely impoverished.  These people are receiving hope that Mr. Humala will distribute the wealth.  Unfortunately the economists and political historians are not doing a good enough job explaining to these people how he ruin the country in the process of making everyone "equal."

Mr. Humala is currently in the lead.  If he wins, one of the first orders he could give, is to kick out ALL non-citizens.  That includes all missionaries.

(Here is more info on him- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ollanta_Humala_Tasso)

Pedro Pablo Kuczynski Godard

Mr. Kuczynski is most certainly the attractive choice.  Although the guy has zero personality, he is very good in marketing, economics, planning, and execution.  Because his name is not at all Peruvian, he markets himself as PPK.  He has chosen bright, young colors that young people love to wear.  His mascot is the PPKuy, which is a huge fluffy guinea pig, aka Cuy (which people eat here).  He is the first to really use social media successfully.  He is the first to really market himself to the younger generations.  Which is smart because the current median age of Peru is right around 23.

PPK is of German descent, whose family ended up in Peru to escape Nazi Germany because of their Jewish background.  His father was a world famous Doctor, specializing in tropical diseases.  PPK studied in Oxford, and Princeton receiving degrees in politics, philosophy, economics, and public affairs.  Additionally, he was a US citizen until renouncing his citizenship for running purposes.  So he also understands the US and European psyche.

He is an economist to the core.  He has formerly served as the Minister of Energy and Mines, Minister of Economy, and Prime Minister.  In fact, he was Toledo’s minister of economy and was largely the reason for Toledo’s economic plan succeeding.

When asked questions, although he is a bit long winded, he answers them fully.  His intelligence is obvious, and as a result he lacks in fiery speeches; which is why I am so intrigued in him.   ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE HIM!!!  He is the antithesis of Obama, or JFK.  He is not attractive.  He is not “Peruvian.”  He is not anything special.  

However, he knows his stuff.  He is the only candidate that has a five year plan drawn up to the letter.  He knows how to keep this economy on an upward track.  As a result, people are really responding to him.  Originally, he was a long shot to win.  However, as time has gone on his support has increased and he is  currently tied with Toledo for second.

(Here is more info on him- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Pablo_Kuczynski_Godard)

So what do I think will happen?

After watching the debates yesterday, I really think it is going to be close.  I think Humala will stay in the lead because so may votes are split between Toledo and PPK.  PPK will be close behind Toledo, but I believe that Toledo has done enough to get into the second round.

As a result, it will be a head to head battle between Humala and Toledo.  A battle that will be won by Toledo, because NO ONE wants to take a step back.  Even those in the poorer areas are beginning to recognize that the distribution of wealth is naturally beginning to occur as a result of the nation’s economic success.  

I will keep you posted as things develop.

*******UPDATE******

Humala and Keiko passed through to the second round.  Either one needs more than 50% of the vote to win.  

Comments

[Jill McFaddin]

Very interesting are the ways they run the elections there! Thanks for posting that bit of info, Shaun! I would have never known; so different from here in the USA. As for the canidates, you are very right, Mr. Humala is VERY SCARY! Peru has come to far to be run by this man under such dictatorship!!! My daughter is marrying a Peruvian young man that she met 5 years ago, this early summer, here in the states first and then Peru. I shutter to think how this would affect their lives when their living and sharing Jesus in Peru, and the lives of you and Amanda and other missionaries and friends that I have over there in different places of Peru that are from the USA! PRAYING TO GOD THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN; HUMALA MUST NOT BECOME PRESIDENT!!! I'm sure, like you say, and like I have heard from others, Humala will be in the run off, but I am trusting God for either Alejandro Toledo OR Mr. Kuczynski to be PERU'S NEXT PRESIDENT! Thanks for posting all of this, Shaun! Please keep me posted! Much love to you and Amanda and you, both are always in my prayers. God bless you, both, and your ministry in Peru! Peru holds a very special place in my heart!

[John]

Well...I am an American living in Peru for 6 years. I am retired and am a Peruvian resident. I bought a house here over a year ago and plan to stay. Do you think it would be a good idea for me to get dual citizenship to protect myself and my investment in case of a Humala presidency?

[Shaun]

Hey John-

That's a good question. I am no political historian or economist, so I am giving my opinion here.

Without marrying into a Peruvian citizenship status I think you can only get your "green card." So you can have your carnet, but the procedure to become an official citizen is completely different. I honestly do not think you need to worry at all. There are too many citizens that are enjoying the advancements in technology, economy, etc. to vote in Humala.

On the outside chance that he does get voted in, you would not have enough time to become a citizen because the process apparently takes a long time. Even at that, it does not necessarily protect you. Remember, we are talking about a guy that is already planning on changing the Constitution as part of his bid to the Presidency. He could kick out all dual citizens. He could keep all missionaries. He could kick out all Americans. He could keep all Europeans.

That is the scary thing... nobody REALLY knows what he is going to do...

I guess we will know in a few short months where the nation is as a whole. Lima is vastly different than the provinces. SO this election is going to reflect what Peruvians as a whole, think about their nation!

[Adeleina]

Wow! Very interesting and very well written... Thanks for sharing! Always interests me to hear the political ongoings of countries that aren't America, or Australia, and even New Zealand. Really looking forward to updates now!

[Shaun & Amanda Wissmann]

Thanks Adeleina! Since this article was written, Humala has won. He won pretty convincingly too. We will see what happens! Everyone is hopeful that things will continue to progress, and hopefully that progress will extend outside of Lima!

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