Ex-president Garcia, leftist Humala square off in Peruvian race

Jun 4, 2006, 11:37 GMT

Buenos Aires - Voters in Peru will go to the polls Sunday to decide if Social Democrat Alan Garcia or authoritarian leftwing nationalist Ollanta Humala will become the country's next president.

The run-off election features a choice between a former unpopular president in Garcia, and Humala, who is feared by Peru's middle and upper classes.

Polls indicate that the race is 57-year-old Garcia's to lose, though Humala was the top vote-getter in the first round of elections in April.

Despite a disastrous term in office from 1985-90, observers believe Garcia will win Sunday's election with a solid majority.

While Humala, 43, has support among the lower class, his campaign is eyed with suspicion among the upper and middle classes.

Humala, who has never held elected office, has sought to stir up the anger of poor Peruvians against the upper class. Observers say Humala was hurt by an endorsement from Venezuela's leftwing nationalist President Hugo Chavez.

That leaves Garcia, who presided over a shrinking economy and runaway inflation during his own administration, on the verge of getting a second chance.

The Social Democratic candidate has also likely benefited more from supporters of conservative candidate Lourdes Flores, who was edged out by Garcia for second place in April's first round.