Lima, May 31 (RHC)-- Former Peruvian presidential candidate Veronika Mendoza called for her supporters to vote for Keiko Fujimori's opponent in the second round of presidential elections.

Veronika Mendoza, the leftist politician who placed third in the first round of the Peruvian presidential election, called on her supporters to vote for Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in the second round of elections in order to stop Keiko Fujimori from reaching the presidency.

Mendoza, who narrowly missed an opportunity to face off against Fujimori herself, said a vote for Kuczynski was necessary in order to prevent “Fujimorism” from ruling the country.

Kuczynski immediately responded to Mendoza´s call for support through Twitter, saying, "I thank @Vero_Mendoza_F for her support to my candidacy.  Thanks for putting the country and democracy beyond everything else. Long live Peru!"

Mendoza explicitly rejected the suggestion that voters spoil their ballot, arguing that “a blank or spoiled vote favors Keiko in the final count of votes.”

Keiko Fujimori is the daughter of former right-wing Peruvian dictator Alberto Fujimori, currently imprisoned for corruption and human rights abuses during his authoritarian rule.

The younger Fujimori has not tried to distance herself from her father's legacy.  She served as first lady during the latter half of his rule after he had a falling-out with his wife. Many of her current advisers were either convicted or suspected of corruption and ties to organized crime.