Peruvian congresswoman and presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori leads a field of likely candidates for Peru’s 2011 presidential elections, according to an Ipsos poll released on Sunday in Lima. Ms. Fujimori, the daughter of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, was the top choice for 22 percent of likely voters. Lima Mayor Luis Castañeda closely trailed her with 20 percent, while former President Alejandro Toledo is in third place with 14 percent.
Ms. Fujimori, who is known as a conservative lawmaker, says she will refrain from a “radical’’ economic path and would continue with the pro-growth strategies of recent years. “There’s no doubt Keiko would pursue her father’s policies to promote a free-market,” says Miguel Palomino, head of the Peruvian Institute of Economics.
Human rights activists have criticized Ms. Fujimori for openly admitting that she would release her father—currently imprisoned for corruption, embezzlement, and kidnapping. “I trust that my father will be declared innocent, but if the time comes, and if I am president, I won’t hesitate to grant amnesty to any person that I believe is innocent and punish those who are criminals,” according to the candidate.
