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1990 Peruvian general election

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1990 Peruvian general election

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Presidential election
8 April 1990 (first round)
10 June 1990 (second round)
 
Nominee Alberto Fujimori Mario Vargas Llosa
Party Cambio 90 FREDEMO
Running mate Máximo San Román
Carlos García y García
Eduardo Orrego
Ernesto Alayza [es]
Popular vote 4,489,897 2,708,291
Percentage 62.38% 37.62%


President before election

Alan García
APRA

Elected President

Alberto Fujimori
Cambio 90

Congressional election
8 April 1990
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
Senate
Democratic Front Mario Vargas Llosa 32.06 20 +12
APRA Alan García 25.09 16 −16
Change 90 Andrés Reggiardo 21.70 14 New
United Left Henry Pease 9.77 6 −9
Socialist Left Alfonso Barrantes 5.46 3 New
FRENATRACA Roger Cáceres [es] 2.03 1 0
Chamber of Deputies
Democratic Front Mario Vargas Llosa 30.03 62 +46
APRA Alan García 24.78 53 −54
Change 90 Andrés Reggiardo 16.93 32 New
United Left Henry Pease 9.82 16 −32
FIM Fernando Olivera 5.95 7 New
Socialist Left Alfonso Barrantes 5.24 4 New
FRENATRACA Roger Cáceres [es] 2.42 3 +2
MRL 0.48 1 +1
Tacneñista Front 0.34 1 New
Popular Agreement 0.28 1 New
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

General elections were held in Peru on 8 April 1990, with a second round of the presidential elections on 10 June.[1] This exercise was to elect the President of the Republic, two vice presidents, and the members of Congress. The elections filled 180 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 60 seats in the Senate for the 1990-1995 governmental period.

The run-off was between favorite, novelist Mario Vargas Llosa leading a coalition of economically liberal parties collectively known as the Democratic Front and political underdog Alberto Fujimori of the populist and more moderate Cambio 90. Vargas Llosa won the first round with a small plurality, but alienated much of the electorate with a comprehensive privatisation agenda, bolstering the allegedly unelectable Fujimori who had finished second ahead of Luis Alva Castro of the ruling APRA party to enter the run-off against Vargas Llosa. Fujimori eventually won a landslide victory and would remain president for ten years until his forced resignation in November 2000.

Background

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At the time of the 1990 elections the government of Alan García of the Peruvian Aprista Party (APRA) faced significant public disapproval. This disapproval was due to attempts to nationalize the banking system, purportedly to control rampant inflation that had been uncontrollable since 1987. Garcia's administration was also marred by corruption scandals and a resurgence of terrorist violence, notably from the terrorist organization Shining Path.[2] Consequently, it was anticipated that the elections would prompt a significant right-wing response.

Presidential candidates

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Mario Vargas Llosa, a widely recognized writer, ran as the candidate of the tripartite coalition Democratic Front (FREDEMO). Vargas Llosa was initially favored to win decisively, potentially eliminating the need for a runoff, particularly given the perceived weakness of the incumbent APRA party. APRA nominated Luis Alva Castro, its second vice-president, as its candidate. However, as the campaign progressed, Alberto Fujimori, representing the small new party Cambio 90, began to gain increasing support in the polls. Fujimori's rise was attributed to his moderate profile,[3] which drew support away from the traditional candidates.[4][5][6][7]

Campaign

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During the presidential runoff Fujimori received endorsements from United Left and Socialist Left, along with a faction of the APRA led by García. Vargas Llosa was supported by Ricardo Belmont, the newly elected mayor of Lima, and Ezequiel Ataucusi, the leader of the Agricultural People's Front. Vargas Llosa also received backing from various media outlets and personalities, including the newspaper Expreso, Panamericana Televisión and television host Augusto Ferrando.[8]

Debates

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A debate between Vargas Llosa and Fujimori took place on 3 June 1990 during the runoff campaign.[9] This was the first televised debate in Peruvian presidential elections.[10][11][12]

Opinion polls

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President

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First round

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Pollster Date Vargas Llosa Barrantes Alva Castro Pease Bedoya Reyes Others None
Apoyo S.A.[13] March 1989 34% 36% - 30%
Apoyo S.A.[14] April 1989 36% 27% 9% - - - -
Apoyo S.A.[14] April 1989 36% 23% 7% - - - -
Datum[15] 16 June 1989 46% 4% 8% 18% - - 20%
Mercadeo y Opinión[16] 25 June 1989 38%
Imasen[15] 26 June 1989 13.7% 18.7% 7.9% - 5.4% 2.1% 34.4%
Apoyo S.A.[16] 27 June 1989 44% 19% - - - - -
Apoyo S.A.[14][17] October 1989 47% 14% 8% 7% - - -
Imasen[18] November 1989 52% 10.5% 4.7% 5.4% - 2.3% -

Results

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Due to mandatory voting laws voter turnout was high, reaching 78% in the presidential election but notably lower in the legislative elections, with 68% for the Chamber of Deputies and 69% for the Senate. Voter turnout for the presidential runoff was slightly higher than in the first round at 80%.

President

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In the first round Vargas Llosa received 33% of the votes, while Fujimori, who had initially polled at 1%, significantly increased his support to secure second place with 29% of the vote. Alva Castro of the incumbent APRA party finished in third place with 22% of the vote, the first time that the APRA candidate did not finish first or second in a free election. No other candidate exceeded 10% of the vote; the two main left-wing candidates representing United Left and Socialist Left finished in fourth and fifth place with 8% and 5% of the vote respectively.

As no candidate received more than 50% of the valid vote in the first round, a runoff was necessary for the first time in Peruvian history. Fujimori achieved a decisive victory with 62% of the vote, making him the first elected president since the restoration of democracy to secure over half of the total vote. Vargas Llosa saw a small increase in support from the first round, receiving 38% of the vote.[4] Although Vargas Llosa had won across the country in the first round, in the runoff he only received a majority of the vote in the department of Loreto.

CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Mario Vargas LlosaDemocratic Front2,163,32332.572,708,29137.62
Alberto FujimoriCambio 901,932,20829.094,489,89762.38
Luis Alva CastroAmerican Popular Revolutionary Alliance1,494,23122.50
Henry PeaseUnited Left544,8898.20
Alfonso BarrantesSocialist Left315,0384.74
Roger Cáceres [es]National Front of Workers and Peasants86,4181.30
Ezequiel Ataucusi GamonalAgricultural People's Front of Peru73,9741.11
Dora Narrea [es]Odriist National Union21,9620.33
Nicolás de Pierola BaltaDemocratic Union9,5410.14
Total6,641,584100.007,198,188100.00
Valid votes6,641,58484.757,198,18890.45
Invalid/blank votes1,195,53215.25760,0449.55
Total votes7,837,116100.007,958,232100.00
Registered voters/turnout10,013,22578.2710,007,61479.52
Source: Nohlen

Chamber of Deputies

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FREDEMO emerged as the largest party in both chambers, securing 20 senators and 62 deputies. Despite its presidential candidate finishing third, the APRA maintained its position as the second-largest party, winning 17 senate seats and 53 deputy seats. Cambio 90 led by Fujimori finished third, capturing 14 Senate seats and 32 in the Chamber of Deputies.

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democratic Front1,561,29130.0362+40
American Popular Revolutionary Alliance1,288,46124.7853–54
Cambio 90879,94916.9332New
United Left510,5579.8216–32
Independent Moralizing Front309,2635.957New
Socialist Left272,5915.244New
National Front of Workers and Peasants126,0672.423+2
Agricultural People's Front of Peru63,4501.220New
Independent Civic Union33,8190.650New
Loreto Regionalist Movement24,8540.481+1
Tacneñista Front17,6420.341New
Popular Agreement Independent List14,5470.281New
In Action Independent Movement12,6140.240New
Odriist National Union10,4130.200New
Democratic Union7,7380.150New
Nationalist Independent Front6,1060.120New
Hayist Bases Movement5,6070.110New
National Reconstruction Movement5,5880.110New
Independent Democratic Front4,7800.090New
Independent Social Movement4,3480.080New
Lima Defence Front – Provinces3,7390.070New
Independent Front of Retirees3,4770.070New
Chavin Region3,4160.070New
Democratic Alliance3,2040.060New
Democratic Agrarian Front "Atusparia"3,0160.060New
Velasquista Movement2,2280.040New
National Cooperation2,1360.040New
Independent List of Socialist Workers1,9420.040New
Amazonense Independent Movement1,4590.030New
Renewal Union of Peru1,3120.030New
Huascaran1,2210.020New
National Democratic Unity1,0250.020New
United1,0200.020New
Victors of Ayacucho9850.020New
Chalaco Regional Movement9250.020New
Independent Solidarity Movement9130.020New
Integration Movement for the Development of Huanuco8170.020New
Popular Renewal Movement7720.010New
Porteño Renovation Movement7350.010New
Independent Democratic Movement6750.010New
Lambayecano Independent Movement6710.010New
Independent Agreement for National Development5970.010New
North-East Agrarian Movement5780.010New
Andean Nationalist Left5020.010New
Impetu Regional Independent Movement3980.010New
Independent Popular Peruvian Alliance3750.010New
PASOP party3570.010New
Independent Democratic Organisation3420.010New
Advanced Democratic Integration3320.010New
Independent Civic Front Strength and Freedom1570.000New
Independent Democratic Socialist Party920.000New
Total5,199,103100.001800
Source: CLEA

By constituency

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Constituency Total seats FREDEMO APRA Cambio 90 United Left Others
Amazonas 3 1 2 0 0 0
Ancash 9 2 4 2 1 0
Apurimac 3 1 0 0 2 0
Arequipa 9 3 2 2 1 1
Ayacucho 4 1 2 0 1 0
Cajamarca 10 3 5 0 1 1
Callao 7 3 2 2 0 0
Cusco 8 2 1 3 2 0
Huancavelica 3 2 0 1 0 0
Huanuco 4 2 1 1 0 0
Ica 6 2 2 1 1 0
Junin 10 4 1 5 0 0
La Libertad 11 2 8 1 0 0
Lambayeque 8 3 5 0 0 0
Lima 1 9 3 3 2 1 0
Lima 2 40 14 6 9 2 9
Loreto 5 3 1 0 0 1
Madre De Dios 1 0 0 0 1 0
Moquegua 1 0 0 0 1 0
Pasco 2 2 0 0 0 0
Piura 11 4 5 0 1 1
Puno 8 1 1 3 1 2
San Martin 3 2 1 0 0 0
Tacna 2 1 0 0 0 1
Tumbes 1 0 1 0 0 0
Ucayali 2 1 0 0 0 1
Source: CLEA

Senate

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PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democratic Front1,772,95332.0620+7
American Popular Revolutionary Alliance1,387,93125.0916–14
Cambio 901,200,45921.7014New
United Left540,6209.776–9
Socialist Left302,1105.463New
National Front of Workers and Peasants112,1422.0310
Agricultural People's Front of Peru63,6941.150New
Somos Libres50,4300.910New
Independent Civic Union45,0460.810New
Odriist National Union16,3490.300–1
Hayist Bases Movement13,5310.240New
Independent Front of Retirees8,9940.160New
Democratic Union7,8050.140New
National Co-operation3,9690.070New
Solidarity Independent Movement3,0880.060New
Honorary Confederation of Independent Organised Struggle1,7790.030New
Former presidents2+1
Total5,530,900100.0062+1
Valid votes5,530,90080.53
Invalid/blank votes1,336,96319.47
Total votes6,867,863100.00
Registered voters/turnout10,013,22568.59
Source: JNE

Aftermath

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The two chambers of the elected Congress in Peru were unable to complete their constitutional terms due to a self-coup by Fujimori on 5 April 1992, in which he dissolved Congress and intervened in the judiciary,[19] effectively suspending the constitutional governance. Following the coup, Fujimori governed with full powers until the end of 1993, when a Democratic Constituent Congress was inaugurated. Despite the political upheaval, Fujimori completed his term and was re-elected in 1995. This period of governance led to significant constitutional reform, including the abolition of the Senate. As a result, the 1990 elections were the last for the bicameral parliament.

References

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  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume II, p454 ISBN 978-0-19-928358-3
  2. ^ "Outsider Presidents and Neophyte Ministers: Evidence from the Fujimori Example" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  3. ^ Schmidt, Gregory D (April 1996). "Fujimori's 1990 Upset Victory in Peru: Electoral Rules, Contingencies, and Adaptive Strategies". Comparative Politics. 28 (3): 321–354. doi:10.2307/422210. JSTOR 422210. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b "1990 Elections: Demons and Redeemers in the New Peru" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Fujimori's Annunciation: Alan Garcia 1985-1990" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  6. ^ Comas, Jose (Apr 7, 1990). "'Chinito' Fujimori is hot on Vargas Llosa's heels". el Pais. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Political Theory and History". Journal of Political Science. 38: 1. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  8. ^ Godoy, Jose Alejandro; Romero, Ezequiel (2021). The Last Dictator. Penguin. p. 659. ISBN 9786124272769. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  9. ^ Comas, Jose (June 4, 1990). "Side by side in Peru, despite Vargas Llosa's triumph over Fujimori on television". el Pais. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  10. ^ de la Garza Estrada, German. "History of debates in Latin America". Excelsior. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  11. ^ "25 years after the first presidential debate in Peru". El Comercio. June 3, 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  12. ^ Vargas Llosa, Mario; Fujimori, Alberto (November 1990). "The Debate: Complete Version of the Debate Held Between the Candidates for the Presidency of the Republic, at the Civic Center of Lima, on June 3, 1990". Repositorio de la Universidad del Pacífico - up. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  13. ^ Adrianzén, Alberto, ed. (2011). Apogeo y crisis de la izquierda peruana. Hablan sus protagonistas (PDF). IDEA Internacional. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Lynch, Nicolás (1999). Una tragedia sin héroes: la derrota de los partidos y el origen de los independientes. Perú, 1980-1992 (PDF). Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos.
  15. ^ a b Bueno León, Eduardo. "El fenómeno Fujimori y la crisis política en el Perú" (PDF). América Latina Hoy. 3 (1992): Partidos Políticos y Elecciones (II), Artículos Monográficos.
  16. ^ a b Ruiz Caro, Efraín (1990). La tercera colonización. La Voz.
  17. ^ Tanaka, Martín (1998). Los espejismos de la democracia: el colapso del sistema de partidos en el Perú, 1980-1995, en perspectiva comparada. IEP.
  18. ^ Oiga (in Spanish). Empresa Editora Eusko-Andina. 1989. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  19. ^ Wills, Maria Emma; Pinto, Maria Teresa. "Peru's Failed Search for Political Stability (1968-2000)" (PDF). Retrieved 22 September 2024.