Candidate named Hitler Mussolini leads Peru mayoral vote; certification pending
In short
Hitler Mussolini Simeon Flores (Гитлер Муссолини Симеон Флорес) received 229 votes, or 34.54%, in the mayoral election in Peru's Queropalca district, Russian outlets reported. Vedomosti and Kommersant said formal confirmation of the result was still pending.
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A candidate named Hitler Mussolini Simeon Flores (Гитлер Муссолини Симеон Флорес) led the mayoral vote in Peru's Queropalca district with 229 votes, or 34.54% of valid ballots, Russian outlets reported. Vedomosti cited figures from Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes, ONPE. Although several headlines described him as the winner, Vedomosti said his election still required formal confirmation, and Kommersant said official results had not yet been announced. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Vedomosti reported that the closest rival received 204 votes and the third-place candidate 187, putting Flores 25 votes ahead of his nearest competitor. Kommersant also reported the runner-up's 204 votes. Flores ran for Ahora Nación, according to both outlets. Vedomosti said all election records had been processed, while Kommersant described formal processing as continuing. The reports agreed that official confirmation was outstanding. [ 2 , 3 ]
RIA Novosti, Vedomosti and Kommersant said the candidate's unusual name had drawn international attention to the local election. RIA Novosti and Vedomosti said there was no evidence he shared the political views of Adolf Hitler or Benito Mussolini. TASS's earlier headline said the politician could become mayor, and its summary gave his share of the vote as 34.5%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Later reports covered comments by Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. TASS reported her saying that the politician was not to blame for having that name. RBC, citing TASS, reported that she described the situation as part of a broader trend towards normalising Nazi figures in the contemporary world. Those statements were her interpretation of the candidate's name and possible election victory. [ 7 , 8 ]
Why it matters
The candidate's name drew international attention to the local election, according to the reports. RIA Novosti and Vedomosti said there was no evidence that Flores shared the political views of his namesakes.
Key facts
- Flores received 229 votes, or 34.54% of valid ballots. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- His closest rival received 204 votes, leaving a 25-vote gap. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Formal confirmation of the election result remained pending. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Flores ran for Ahora Nación. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the candidate's name. [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The documents differ on the status of processing election records. Vedomosti says 100% of records were processed; Kommersant says formal processing continued. Both say official confirmation remained pending.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 9, RIA Novosti reported Flores's mayoral vote result. [ 1 ]
- On October 9, Vedomosti reported vote totals and pending formal confirmation. [ 2 ]
- On October 9, TASS reported Zakharova's comment that the politician was not to blame for his name. [ 7 ]
- On October 9, RBC reported Zakharova's comments about normalising Nazi figures. [ 8 ]