More than twenty presidential candidates are outlining their platforms Tuesday at the National Society of Industries headquarters in San Isidro, during the “Forum of Presidential Candidates – 2026 Elections.” The event, organized by the Union of Guilds and the National University of San Marcos (UNMSM), is receiving support from Grupo El Comercio and América Multimedia.
The forum provides a crucial opportunity for candidates to present their visions to the public ahead of the upcoming election. Candidates will focus on individual initiatives related to health, education, citizen security, and policies aimed at youth. They will as well detail proposals for promoting employment and formalizing the economy.
The interventions will focus on initiatives related to health, education, citizen security, and policies aimed at youth. Candidates will also detail proposals for promoting employment and formalizing the economy.
Enrique Valderrama, the presidential candidate for the Aprista Party, is among those presenting proposals today.
The interventions will focus on initiatives related to health, education, citizen security, and policies aimed at youth. They will also detail proposals for promoting employment and formalizing the economy.
Keiko Fujimori of Fuerza Popular was the first presidential candidate to present her proposals.
The first session of the forum, moderated by journalist Omar Mariluz, host of “Cuarto Poder,” is now underway.
The day-long event is divided into four presentation blocks.
Felipe James, president of the National Society of Industries, stated that Peru is facing one of the most decisive elections in its history. He emphasized that this is a moment to decide responsibly, and informed voting is the best tool available.
James noted the high number of undecided voters, adding that this forum “is perhaps one of the last real opportunities for citizens to compare proposals.”
“We hope to spot solutions, clear, viable, and responsible proposals, plans that explain what to do and how to do it with clear goals and strategies,” James remarked.
“There are no shortcuts; economic growth is the only way” to generate employment, he underscored.
he detailed, they are demanding concrete proposals for productive development and employment, as well as the promotion of public and private investment with clear rules. They also seek plans to support education, health, and nutrition, as well as measures to close existing gaps.
As part of the Union of Guilds, in addition to the SNI, ADEX, CANATUR, the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL), the Peruvian Automotive Association (AAP), PeruCámaras and the National Platform of SME Guilds also participate. “Diario El Comercio. All rights reserved.”
A moment of silence was held at the beginning of the forum in memory of candidate Napoleón Becerra, who died in a traffic accident early Sunday morning.
The first session, moderated by journalist Omar Mariluz, will include presentations from Keiko Fujimori (Fuerza Popular), Alfonso López Chau (Ahora Nación), Enrique Valderrama (Apra), Rafael Belaunde (Libertad Popular), Ronald Atencio (Venceremos), Fiorella Molinelli (Fuerza y Libertad), and Carlos Espá (SíCreo).
The second session, led by journalist Ariana Lira, head of ECData—the data journalism unit of El Comercio—will feature José Williams (Avanza País), Herbert Caller (Patriotic Party of Peru), Mesías Guevara (Purple Party), Álex Gonzales (Green Democratic Party), Álvaro Paz de la Barra (Faith in Peru), Armando Massé (Democratic Federal Party), Yonhy Lescano (Popular Cooperation), and Paul Jaimes (Progress).
This is the schedule for the presidential candidate forum
The third session, beginning at 3:00 p.m. And led by Angélica Valdés, will include César Acuña (APP), Marisol Pérez Tello (Primero La Gente), Roberto Sánchez (Juntos por el Perú), José Luna (Podemos Perú), Carlos Jaico (Perú Moderno), and Francisco Diez-Canseco (Perú Acción).
The fourth session, moderated by political analyst César Campos, will close the day with presentations from Fernando Olivera (Front of Hope 2021), Jorge Nieto (Party of Solid Governance), Wolfgang Grozo (Democratic Integrity), Carlos Álvarez (Country for All), and Rafael López Aliaga (Renovation Popular).
This is the schedule for the presidential candidate forum
As part of the Union of Guilds, in addition to the SNI, ADEX, CANATUR, the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL), the Peruvian Automotive Association (AAP), PeruCámaras and the National Platform of SME Guilds also participate.
SNI President Felipe James believes the forum “is a great opportunity” for presidential candidates to share the core of their government plans with the public. He added that one of those plans should be “their position on illegal mining.”
“Remember that after this forum comes the debate that has been scheduled by the JNE, but in a debate like that, it will be very difficult for them to present all their proposals, given that it is a face-to-face and there will be more attacks and defenses. In contrast, this forum is different; it is not a debate, it is a forum where candidates will speak directly to the public about their government plan,” he remarked.
In an interview with El Comercio, James said that all candidates have been invited, regardless of their position in the polls.
“Everyone has been invited; the problem with those who do not want to come is theirs, but the main ones will come. And we hope that the few who are missing will confirm in the coming days,” he expressed.
James also stated that the business community “is very concerned about those candidates who have ideologies similar to the Bolivarian ideology, who agree with everything that happened in Maduro’s Venezuela, with what is happening in Cuba and Nicaragua.”
“That type of ideology, which some candidates also have in their government plans, is what worries us and what we believe should be eradicated,” he added.
The event will take place this Tuesday starting at 8:45 a.m. At the SNI headquarters, located in the San Isidro district.
