As in the previous elections, no parties secured a majority in the 130-member Congress in 2021. The Free Peru (PL), led by Mr. Pedro Castillo, came first with 37 seats. The Popular Force (FP), led by Ms. Keiko Fujimori and the Popular Action (AP), led by Mr. Yonhy Lescano, came second and third respectively. The number of women increased from 34 (26.15%) in 2020 to 52 (40%) in 2021. The newly elected Congress held its first session on 26 July and elected Ms. María del Carmen Alva Prieto (AP) as its new Speaker.

In the presidential elections held in parallel, no candidates secured the required majority to be elected in the first round of voting. In the run-off elections held on 6 June, Mr. Castillo (PL) narrowly defeated Ms. Fujimori (FP). Ms. Fujimori, who initially contested the results for alleged fraud, accepted the final results announced on 19 July. On 28 July, Mr. Castillo was sworn in as the new President (see note). The following day, he appointed Mr. Guido Bellido (PL) as the Prime Minister. On 27 August, the Congress approved Mr. Bellido’s Cabinet. 

The 2021 elections were held amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which hit hard the country. Its economy contracted 12.9 per cent in 2020. During the election campaigning, the major parties focused on the post-COVID-19 economic recovery and reforms related to the key mining sector.

Note:
Prior to the presidential elections and swearing in of Mr. Castillo as President, Peru saw two interim Presidents following the impeachment of the then President Martín Vizcarra on 9 November 2020, which prompted street protests. After Speaker Manuel Merino (Popular Action) resigned as President on 15 November, Congress elected Mr. Francisco Sagasti of the Purple Party as the new President.