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LatinNews Daily - 26 March 2018

Vizcarra assumes presidency in Peru

Development: On 23 March, Martín Vizcarra was sworn in as the 67th president of Peru shortly after the national congress accepted the resignation of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

Significance: Vizcarra will have his work cut out serving the entirety of Kuczynski’s term in office which runs until July 2021. But his inaugural address to congress gave the impression that his intention is to do just that. He highlighted that his priorities would go beyond combating government corruption, the scourge of Peruvian politicians of all hues, to improving health and education.

  • Vizcarra, previously Peru’s first vice president, was sworn-in after deputies voted to accept the terms of Kuczynski’s resignation. But congress issued a resolution, approved by the majority of deputies, which “deplored and rejected” the version of events in Kuczynski’s resignation letter, contending that he had failed to accept that he had brought it upon himself through his own actions.
  • Vizcarra offered congress “a social pact to fight against corruption”, arguing that deputies should seize the opportunity to “transform this difficult moment into a new political phase”. He expressed his hope that what had happened would “draw a line under the politics of hate and confrontation that has only harmed the country”. But Vizcarra also spoke passionately about the need to improve the standard of health and education in Peru, especially in the country’s more remote regions.
  • Keiko Fujimori, the leader of the main right-wing opposition Fuerza Popular (FP, Fujimoristas) party, wished Vizcarra “success”, saying that it was the time to be “united as Peruvians, firm and optimistic about the challenges facing us”.
  • This will be the relationship which defines Vizcarra’s presidency. While the FP has lost its majority of 73 seats in the 130-seat congress it retains 59 seats and is the largest represented party by a distance.

Looking Ahead: Vizcarra said he would name “a completely new cabinet” by 2 April. It will be a very difficult balancing act. He is acutely aware of FP’s predilection for censuring ministers, but if he appoints anybody deemed to be too close to Fujimorismo he will alienate his allies (and the left-wing opposition).

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