Fiorella Molinelli

Fiorella Molinelli (Fiorella Giannina Molinelli Aristondo), leader of Fuerza y Libertad (Strength and Freedom), a political alliance of the Batalla Peru (Battle Peru) and Fuerza Moderna (Modern Force) parties, is a first-time candidate for president of Peru. She is one of four women and 31 men seeking the office. Per the country’s electoral system, the first round of nationwide voting will take place on April 12, 2026. If no candidate achieves 50% of the popular vote, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff on June 7.

Molinelli, a native of Peru’s capital, Lima, received a BA in social sciences with a focus in economics at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. She also holds an MA in health services management and administration from Universidad de Alcalá de Henares; an MA in economics and public policy from Universidad Torcuato di Tella; and a PhD in government and public policy from Universidad de San Martín de Porres.

Molinelli’s professional experience includes both public-sector and academic roles. From 2017 to 2018, during the administration of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, she served as Minister of Development and Social Inclusion. From 2018 to 2021, she was Executive President of Seguro Social de Salud (EsSalud), the system that administers Peru’s public health insurance. Molinelli has held teaching positions at Universidad Continental and Centro de Altos Estudios Nacionales (CAEN) and has served as acting dean of the business faculty and advisor to the board of governors of Universidad Señor de Sipán.
Molinelli’s campaign platform centers on poverty reduction and education. She supports her party’s pledge to promote “sustainable development and social integration through economic policies” and to “guarantee universal access to quality health and education.”