Conservative Opus Dei businessman primed to become next mayor of Peru's capital

FILE PHOTO: Conservative Opus Dei businessman Rafael Lopez Aliaga talking to Reuters in Lima, Peru on March 12, 2021. REUTERS/Angela Ponce/File Photo

LIMA (Reuters) - Conservative Opus Dei businessman Rafael Lopez Aliaga looks to have prevailed over a retired military officer accused of murdering a journalist to become Lima's next mayor, Peru's election office said on Monday after 97.57% of votes were counted.

Lopez Aliaga, a hotel businessman who claims to practice celibacy and is known as "Porky," a famous cartoon character, led with 26.287% of votes following Sunday's election, the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) said on its website.