By Matthew Tabe
Dina Boluarte, Peru’s new president, has announced a partial cabinet reshuffle, just hours after legislators tentatively approved a plan to move elections forward in an effort to quell protests that erupted following the impeachment of Boluarte’s predecessor.
Boluarte named lawyer Alberto Otarola as Peru’s new prime minister in a ceremony at the presidential palace on Wednesday. She also named new defense and interior secretaries.
Alex Contreras was retained as Economy Minister, and Oscar Vera was retained as Energy and Mines Minister.
The changes came two weeks after Peru’s opposition-led Congress voted to impeach President Pedro Castillo for the third time in the left-wing leader’s embattled presidency.
Castillo announced plans to dissolve the legislature and rule by decree shortly before his impeachment, a move widely condemned as unconstitutional. Castillo’s vice president, Boluarte, was sworn in after his removal.
Castillo’s removal, followed by his arrest and pretrial detention on charges of rebellion and conspiracy, sparked protests and blockades across Peru, particularly in rural areas where he has strong support.
Protesters have called for the release of the former president, as well as early elections, Boluarte’s resignation, and the dissolution of Congress, which has an overwhelming disapproval rating.
On Tuesday evening, Peruvian legislators approved a proposal backed by Boluarte to postpone presidential and congressional elections until April 2024. They were initially scheduled for 2026.
To be adopted, the plan, which would add one article to Peru’s constitution, would need to be ratified by another two-thirds majority in the next annual legislative session.