Purple Party

Following the removal of Martín Vizcarra and Manuel Merino's ascension to the presidency, the 2020 Peruvian protests kicked-off. The party's congressional caucus voted against Vizcarra's removal, being the only party which remained in full-opposition to the political move. Refusing to attend Merino's inauguration, congressman Daniel Olivares plead for the release of arbitrarily detained citizens at police stations, while Guzmán participated in the protests. The rest of the caucus remained vigilant against actions taken by Merino's government, which ended on 15 November 2020, only five days into his presidency.[8]

As Merino's resignation was accepted, Congress voted to elect a new President of Congress between the 19 congress members who voted against Vizcarra's removal on 9 November. Talks to select a Purple congressman for the position initiated. Congressman Gino Costa was the first proposal, but was unanimously rejected by the rest of caucuses. On the evening of 15 November 2020, Francisco Sagasti was proposed to run for the First Vice Presidency of Congress in a multiparty list led by leftist congresswoman Rocío Silva-Santisteban (FA). The single list was officially rejected by Congress, prompting to hold the election till the next day. In this second election, Francisco Sagasti led the multiparty list. As the second list led by María Teresa Cabrera (PP) was not approved to run for filing irregularities, the election was imminent. With 97 votes in favor, Sagasti was elected President of Congress, and was inaugurated on the next day as President of Peru to fulfill the 2016-2021 term.[9][10]

In September 2020, the Purple Party formally signed a political accord with Citizen Force, an organization which lacks registration in order to participate independently or formally allied in an election, in order to prepare for the 2021 general election.[11] As a result of this accord, LGBT activist Susel Paredes registered in the party.[12] Initially slated for the ticket as a possible running-mate for Julio Guzmán, she was ultimately selected to lead the congressional list for the Lima constituency.[13]

On 23 October 2020, former Miraflores mayoral candidate, Alejandro San Martín, officially registered an alternative ticket for the primary election.[14] Two days later, congresswoman Carolina Lizárraga announced her candidacy for the Purple Party's presidential nomination.[15] Facing a competitive primary, Julio Guzmán filed his ticket on 28 October 2020. Choosing former Minister of Education, Flor Pablo, and congressman Francisco Sagasti, as his running mates, his campaign was put on halt as 2020 Peruvian protests started. Negotiations on which Purple congressman would assume the presidency were tumultuous, as Sagasti was viewed as the only consensus candidate for the role. Reports stated Guzmán ultimately accepted the proposal, thus making Sagasti quit the ticket as second running mate in order to assume the presidency till 2021.[10]

On the primary election held on 29 November 2020, Guzmán was elected as the party's presidential nominee with 77% of the vote, while Carolina Lizárraga placed second with 19.2%, and Alejandro San Martín attained 3.8%.[16]