Rafael López Aliaga, candidate for first regidor of Renovación Popular, said he will attend the debate among candidates for the mayoralty of Lima and that he personally asked to take part in the contest.
He said he had sent a letter requesting to join the debate, and that it appeared his request had been granted. He said he loves debates and has always taken part in them, speaking in an interview with Canal N.
López Aliaga currently serves as mayor of Lima and leads Renovación Popular, the party known by its light blue colours. He is now running for first regidor, a position roughly equivalent to deputy mayor, in the same municipal race.
Responding to criticism over his candidacy
Asked about criticism from other candidates over his new bid, López Aliaga said the law was on his side and that he could not control the fact that Luis Rubio, Renovación Popular's original candidate for the Lima municipality, had resigned his candidacy.
He said the law posed no obstacle to his running for first regidor, and that he first had to win the election. He said this was permitted by law, and that if the mayor were not eligible to take office after a win, the law established that the first regidor would assume the post.
JNE draws debate order
Peru's National Elections Jury, known as the JNE, held a draw on Monday, September 14, to set the order in which the 26 parties contesting the mayoralty of Lima Metropolitana will take part in the debate for the 2026 Regional and Municipal Elections. Renovación Popular, the party led by López Aliaga, is among them.
The debate will run over two dates, Monday, September 21, and Tuesday, September 22. According to the order set by the draw, Renovación Popular will take part in the second session, on September 22.
Concerns over a disguised re-election
A total of 14 parties argue that López Aliaga's candidacy, put forward after Rubio's resignation, could amount to a disguised form of re-election, which is prohibited under Peru's Constitution.
Full debate lineup
The first session will feature Obras, Tierra Verde, Partido Morado, Frepap, Somos Perú, Juntos por el Perú, Pueblo Consciente, Batalla Perú, Alianza para el Progreso, Partido Patriótico del Perú, Ahora Nación, Partido Demócrata Verde and Podemos Perú.
The second session, alongside Renovación Popular, will include Partido del Buen Gobierno, PPC, Avanza País, Alianza Venceremos, Fuerza Ciudadana, Acción Popular, Perú Libre, APRA, Progresemos, Frente de la Esperanza and Fuerza Popular.
