Zakharova comments on Peruvian candidate named Hitler Mussolini

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman linked the elected district leader’s unusual name to what she described as the normalisation of Nazi and fascist figures; the vote count in Queropalca was still being finalised.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the case illustrated how Nazi and fascist symbols could return to public consciousness. Speaking at a forum, she also stressed that the politician himself was not responsible for the name given to him at birth.

The election was for mayor of the district of Queropalca in Peru’s Huánuco department. Peruvian and international media reported that Hitler Mussolini Simeon Flores received 229 votes, ahead of his closest rival with 204. At the time of Zakharova’s remarks, the final count had not been completed. In 2020, Namibian local councillor Adolf Hitler Uunona also said he had no connection to Nazi ideology.