Civic Obras Party Allows Members to Choose Second-Round Vote in Peru

Daniel Barragán, general secretary of the Civic Obras party in Peru, announced that the party will maintain a centrist ideological stance in Congress while allowing its members and followers to freely choose their candidate in the upcoming presidential second-round election. Although the party has initiated preliminary discussions with both remaining campaigns, Barragán expressed significant reservations about the leading candidates. He criticized Roberto Sánchez of Together for Peru, questioning his ethical track record and suggesting his support relies more on symbolism than substance. Simultaneously, he voiced doubts about Rafael López Aliaga’s consistency, particularly regarding his refusal to accept a senatorial credential. Despite these criticisms, Barragán noted an appreciation for the economic stability proposals in Keiko Fujimori’s government plan. The announcement also confirmed that Ricardo Belmont, the party’s founder and former presidential candidate, has retired from political life and will no longer influence party operations. This strategy underscores Obras' attempt to remain a moderate force amidst polarized political choices in Peru.