Bruce confirmed to this newspaper that he is assembling a team of mayors and former district mayors, but he refrained from providing names. Other sources indicated that he would be joined by Juan Carlos Zurek (La Molina), Adolfo ‘Bobby’ Mattos (San Martín de Porres), along with other local leaders.
Francis Allison is another district mayor – in Magdalena – whose candidacy for Lima has been confirmed with the APP. Under the Acuña party, Allison has been engaging in campaign activities in districts such as Villa María del Triunfo and Carabayllo, where he has been spotted on walks and inaugurating retaining walls and soup kitchens.
Allison’s challenges stem from his district team. Although they have been able to bring in new candidates like former mayor Raúl Díaz in Comas, they have experienced losses in electoral strongholds in key districts.
In Villa María del Triunfo, the current mayor Eloy Chávez has just resigned from the APP along with his eight councilors, which includes Cendi Iñigo, sister of Guido Iñigo, the current mayor of Villa El Salvador.
Although Mayor Iñigo’s resignation has not yet been officially declared, sources close to the party indicate that it is only a matter of days before his party status is updated. This notion is supported by the fact that the eight VES councilors have also resigned from the APP, including Deputy Mayor Olinda Chávez, sister of the VMT mayor. The resignations took place between September 13 and 16, including Kevin Iñigo, another sibling of the current VES mayor.
The same sources suggested that the Chávez-Iñigo duo would join Somos Perú and seek to maintain their influence in VMT and VES, respectively. Even if they are not re-elected, the families are expected to swap districts for 2026, as they have been doing since the 2018 elections.
In the APP, Allison had indicated a potential alliance with the current mayor of Callao, Pedro Spadaro. However, Spadaro and five district mayors from his movement eventually aligned with Renovación Popular. The Callao mayors opted for the light blue of Renovación over the blue of APP.
In Renovación Popular, the party of current mayor Rafael López Aliaga, it is generally believed that his candidate for succession would be the current congresswoman Norma Yarrow who has just been appointed secretary general of the Celeste party. “It is something I have always aspired to, but it is premature,” Yarrow told El Comercio.
These are the initial names that have surfaced from the main political parties for the 2026 Lima Mayor’s Office.
—In search of names—
Podemos is another party with significant expectations for the Lima Mayor’s Office. In the last two elections, it finished in second place, significantly narrowing the gap with the first place: from 865 thousand votes in 2018 to just 52 thousand votes in 2022.
In both elections, they nominated Daniel Urresti, who is currently incarcerated. Podemos initially hoped that Urresti could change his judicial status, but estimates suggest that the review of all his appeals may not be resolved until well into the electoral campaign, which poses a risk.
In light of this, party sources indicated that the current councilor and former congressman Aron Espinoza is the leading candidate at the moment, due to “his oversight performance in relation to the current administration” [of Rafael López Aliaga] and his profile as an entrepreneurial businessman in the health sector.”
Secretary General José Luna Morales confirmed Espinoza’s name as a possibility and did not dismiss the idea of forming an alliance with another party for the 2026 municipal elections.
Another name being mentioned is that of the host Sofia Franco in the Faith in Peru party, whose leader is her husband, Alvaro Paz de la Barra. Franco recently joined the Green Party, where Paz de la Barra hopes to become a presidential candidate for 2026.
In Progresemos, the group led by Hernando de Soto, Yorry Warthon has recently held a vigil at the Ministry of the Interior, where he was received by Minister Juan José Santiváñez. In July, Santiváñez announced his exit from this party, but he is still listed as a member in the records of the National Elections Board.
In conversations with other consulted parties, such as PPC, Libertad Popular, Fuerza Popular, and Avanza País, their leaders stated that they do not have names for the Lima Mayorship yet. Avanza País was left without a candidate after Carlos Bruce resigned, and they are now exploring options with names like Congressman José Williams or the current mayor of San Miguel, Eduardo Bless. The latter acknowledged to this newspaper that he is contemplating running for Lima if Congress does not approve the reelection of mayors and governors.
At the district level, there have been at least 20 instances of former mayors changing parties this year in anticipation of the subnational elections in 2026. The registration period for candidates who wish to run in the upcoming electoral contest ends on October 7. The candidacies of former mayors have become more appealing due to the uncertainty surrounding the second vote in Congress regarding the ratification of the reform that would restore the reelection of mayors and governors.
At least 20 former district mayors of Lima changed their political stance in 2024 in preparation for the subnational elections of 2026.
2026 Lima Mayor Elections: Key Candidates and Political Movements
As the 2026 elections for the Lima Mayor’s Office draw near, political alliances and candidates are taking shape across various parties. Here’s a comprehensive look at the potential contenders and the shifting dynamics within local politics.
Key Players Emerging in Lima’s Political Landscape
Mayor Carlos Bruce has confirmed he is forming a coalition of mayors and former district mayors but has refrained from disclosing specific names. Sources suggest strong candidates such as Juan Carlos Zurek (La Molina) and Adolfo ‘Bobby’ Mattos (San Martín de Porres) may join his team. Meanwhile, Francis Allison of APP is solidifying his campaign, focusing on sectors like Villa María del Triunfo and Carabayllo.
Francis Allison’s Campaign Strategy
Allison, who has been actively engaging in campaign activities, faces challenges within the local candidate roster as political dynamics shift. Notably:
- The current mayor of Villa María del Triunfo, Eloy Chávez, along with his councilors, has recently resigned from APP.
- Rumors are swirling that the Chávez-Iñigo family may realign with Somos Perú, a strategic move aimed at preserving local power.
Political Shifts and Resignations
Recent developments indicate a significant shift for APP, with key members resigning. Eloy Chávez and other councilors may soon be joining Somos Perú, enhancing their political foothold. These moves signify a potential reconfiguration of local political power in advance of the 2026 electoral cycle.
The Impact of Resignations
Resignations among influential councilors, including the Iñigo family, exemplify the fluid nature of local politics where alliances can rapidly change. This trend emphasizes the importance of strategic party loyalty and the potential for career longevity through smart realignments.
Looking at Popular Renewal’s Ambitions
With Rafael López Aliaga’s hold on the mayoralty, Popular Renewal is eyeing Congresswoman Norma Yarrow as a possible successor. Yarrow’s remarks hint at future ambitions, stating, “It is something I have always wanted to do, but it is premature.”
Candidate Strategies in Popular Renewal
The party’s current strategy appears to center around solidifying their base while simultaneously courting new candidates capable of garnering voter interest. This approach is aimed at countering the emerging movements from other parties.
Podemos Party’s Controversial Candidate Situation
Podemos, having previously nominated Daniel Urresti, is now exploring alternatives due to his imprisonment. Potential candidates include:
- Aron Espinoza: Current councilor and former congressman, noted for his accountability-focused performance.
- Sofia Franco: A media figure recently aligned with the Faith in Peru party, she is also linked to Alvaro Paz de la Barra, who has aspirations for the presidency in 2026.
Candidate Overview Table
| Candidate Name | Political Party | Key Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Bruce | APP | Former Mayor, Regional Coalition Builder |
| Francis Allison | APP | Candidate from Magdalena, Active Campaigner |
| Norma Yarrow | Popular Renewal | Current Congresswoman, Potential Successor |
| Aron Espinoza | Podemos | Current Councilor, Entrepreneurial Focus |
| Sofia Franco | Faith in Peru | Television Host, Political Spouse |
Future Political Uncertainty and Alliances
The political landscape in Lima continues to shift, with potential candidates for the mayoral seat leaving their previous parties behind. This creates a need for strategic alliances as several former mayors now have the opportunity to rethink their affiliations in early 2024.
Counting Down to Candidacy Registrations
The registration deadline for those aspiring to run for office is on October 7, 2024. With many former mayors reevaluating their political strategies, may campaign changes hint at emerging candidate preferences and voter behaviors.
Conclusion
As the 2026 Lima mayoral elections approach, the political scene continues to evolve with intriguing shifts in candidate affiliations and party dynamics. Key players like Carlos Bruce, Francis Allison, and Norma Yarrow are shaping their messages to attract voters, while the landscape remains dynamic with ongoing realignments and potential new candidates stepping up to participate in the democratic process.
