Peru has been in political trouble for several years. The latest political protest is going on for several weeks following the impeachment, removal and detention of the earlier President Pedro Castillo, who came to power with a surprising victory over Keiko Fujimori in 2021. According to available sources, the Peruvian Congress impeached and removed the former president on December 7 after his attempt to shut down congress for moral incapacity and Dina Boluarte immediately became the President. But his supporters started protests against the impeachment and detention with the demand for his immediate release, the dissolution of Congress and immediate elections. Protests led to a nationwide state of emergency, the death of at least forty people and the arrest of many.
But a pertinent aspect is whether the political problem will end with Dina Boluarte’s resignation. Though this may lead to a change in the president, it is difficult to say that the political situation will improve drastically. Pertinently, the current political crisis, which has been simmering since 2016, is because of not only the impeachment, removal and detention of Pedro Castillo but also other causes including a unicameral Congress, fragmented politics (or a constant discord between the executive and legislature that fail to address citizens’ often desperate needs), corruption or the monetization of power by legislators, the breakdown of political party systems, economic problems and a tug of war for resources, repeated political turmoil and less developmental focus in several areas (including Southern region).
The hostile congress and a lack of political maneuver, associated with repeated political turmoil, led to the removal or resignation of six presidents in the last six years. Dina Boluarte may also face a hostile Congress. Moreover, many Peruvians, including those of the Andes and the South that are consisted of around thirty percent of the population who voted heavily for Castillo in 2021 and where the governments’ development focus was less, growingly believe the populist promises of Castillo as important to address deep inequalities and injustices. Consequently, the current protests are largely concentrated in the Andes and the South. Due to further possible protests and other causes, Peru’s political crisis and the threat to governability may unsurprisingly worsen in the coming months.
But the spread of the protests to several areas, increased unrest with road blockades and attacks on airports, public entities, private companies and media outlets by protesters, public sentiment favoring the ouster president, a leftist politician who survived two votes of no-confidence earlier, and the resignation of several ministers that has raised serious questions on her new cabinet, led to some notable changes. The newly elected president of the South American country supported a plan to push up the 2024 elections for president that Congress originally scheduled for 2026 and, according to available sources, she later mentioned the possibility of it in 2023. Also, she expressed her support for judicial investigations into whether security forces acted with excessive force against protesters.
It is desired that the political crisis in Peru is resolved in acceptable ways. Since the presidential election is held every five years, the next one is scheduled for 2026. An early election move, which requires ratification by Congress, may be helpful to calm down the protest and resist further pressure on the government in the coming months for early elections. The consideration of some other demands of protesters may also be helpful to mitigate the current political trouble. But the political maneuver and commitment of the President are needed to not only mitigate the ongoing crisis but also solve deep seated political challenges including the impeachment trap and take support from Congressmen in passing citizens’ bills.
But the positive roles of lawmakers are definitely important in the presidential-parliamentary system where Congressmen enjoy the power of vote of confidence for passing cabinet and many other important matters of the government. But steps are also needed to address other causes of the political crisis including the economic discontent in Peru, no matter whether the presidential election is held earlier or a new President comes to power. Peru has been in trouble economically for years because of economic mismanagement, bad policies, political turmoil and several other causes. Along with hindered economic activities, many are unemployed and suffering human and economic effects. Peru needs to mitigate its economic challenges with effective plans.
