Peru in 2023: From Polarization to the Conservative and Populist Coalition during the Government of Dina Boluarte

Tanaka M. · Revista de Ciencia Politica (2024) · DOI: 10.4067/s0718-090x2024005000123

Resumen

2023 was a very particular and significant year in Peru. It was the year of Dina Boluarte’s government, who, as vice president, succeeded the ousted Pedro Castillo at the end of 2022 to complete the 2021-2026 presidential term. Remarkably, given the experience of Castillo’s government, the circumstances of his impeachment by Congress, and the characteristics of Peruvian political dynamics post-2016, the expected scenario was the continuation of a dynamic of polarization and political and social confrontation. Unexpectedly, we witnessed the formation at the heights of institutional politics of a majority that crosses right-wing and left-wing groups, centered around conservative and populist values opposed to various institutional reform initiatives implemented in recent years, accompanied by relative citi-zen demobilization. Although this seriously delegitimized the government and Congress, the absence of viable short-term alternatives generated relative stability. The problematic aspect is that Peru’s fragile democracy seems to be captured “from below” by various local leaders and particularistic interests, a consequence of the extreme weakness of political parties, constituting a peculiar and dangerous path of democratic deterioration.

Instituciones: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú