Kuczynski promises social revolution in Peru

Presidentelect Pedro Pablo Kuczynski issued an appeal for unity in Peru on Tuesday after winning a very close runoff election, and he announced the launching of a social revolution seeking equality among all Peruvians.

Kuczynski and Vice Presidentselect Martin Vizcarra and Mercedes Araoz on Tuesday were officially designated by the JNE election board as the winners of the June 5 runoff.

The 77yearold former World Bank official and economy minister got 8.59 million votes, compared with 8.55 million for Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of jailed exPresident Alberto Fujimori.

The new administration will take office July 28 for a fiveyear term.

In a short speech, the presidentelect said that “in Peru, we have to maintain the union,” despite the fact that there are “many differences among us,” because this is “the fourth democratic transition” since 2001.

Kuczynski said that “Latin America is going through a difficult period. We’re seeing big changes in other countries, and others are on the verge of facing very difficult ... challenges,” while Peru has made a significant change in the economic area.

“But one additional change is still lacking which is the social revolution, making the provinces equal to the capital, equalizing the education for those who go to the best private schools with that of those who go to public schools, who are the great majority,” he said.

Meanwhile, JNE chairman Francisco Tavara said that it will be Kuczynski who will have the task of leading the country to its bicentennial, which “will mark a milestone ... (of) 200 years of republican life” in 2021.