Politics of Peru

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Peru

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Politics of Peru takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Peru is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Congress. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

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[edit] Democratic reform

The Republic of Peru is in a state of ongoing democratization. Led by President Alejandro Toledo, the executive branch is attempting to be transparent and accountable. Previously a rubberstamp body, Peru's unicameral Congress is emerging as a strong counterbalance to the once dominant executive branch, with increased oversight and investigative powers. The executive branch and Congress are attempting to reform the judicial branch, antiquated and rife with corruption.

Peruvians, whose expectations were raised during the 2000 and 2001 election campaigns, are frustrated at the slow pace of economic recovery and job creation. As discontent rises, the Toledo administration is in a race to strengthen the economy so that popular pressures do not force a shift to more radical measures. So far, the Toledo government remains committed to neoliberal economic policies and structural reform in the hope of attracting sufficient international investment to generate growth and job creation.

Other important political currents stem from the ongoing investigation of Fujimori-era corruption (notably the proceedings against Fujimori's former advisor, Vladimiro Montesinos), and an increase in activities by the insurgent group Sendero Luminoso. The recent trial of Abimael Guzmán has been suspended, due in part to Guzmán's use of it as a forum for broadcasting Sendero Luminoso propaganda.

Regarding the latter, the Toledo government has been forced to consider putting resources back into the security forces which they had been hoping to use to fund social programs.

Another relevant opposition leader is nationalist and former military commander Ollanta Humala.

After the impeachment of Fujimori (at present stuck in Chile, awaiting extradition proceedings), Alejandro Toledo could not run for the presidency again. The most recent presidential election was held on Sunday, April 9, 2006, and more than 16 million Peruvians were eligible to vote worldwide. No candidate received more than 50% of the vote, so a runoff election was held in June.

After a bitter and often vitriolic campaign, disgraced former President Alan Garcia won with 53.1% of the vote. Nationalist rival and former coup-plotter, Ollanta Humala, received 46.9%. Mr Garcia, whose first presidency in 1985-1990 was blighted by record-breaking hyperinflation, debt-default and a Maoist insurgency, says that he's learned from his mistakes.

[edit] Executive branch

Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
President Alan García Pérez PAP 28 July 2006
Prime Minister Jorge Del Castillo PAP 28 July 2006

The President of Peru is popularly elected for a five-year term, and the 1993 constitution permits one consecutive re-election. All citizens above the age of eighteen are entitled and in fact compelled to vote. The first and second vice presidents also are popularly elected but have no constitutional functions unless the president is unable to discharge his duties.

The President appoints the Council of Ministers (Consejo de Ministros, or Cabinet) and Prime Minister (primer ministro). All presidential decree laws or draft bills sent to Congress must be approved by the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister Jorge Del Castillo has occupied his position since 28 July 2006, replacing Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

[edit] Legislative branch

The legislative branch consists of a unicameral Congress (Congreso) of 120 members. elected for a five-year term by proportional representation In addition to passing laws, Congress ratifies treaties, authorizes government loans, and approves the government budget. The president has the power to block legislation with which the executive branch does not agree.

[edit] Political parties and elections

The following election results include names of political parties. See for additional information about parties the List of political parties in Peru. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Peru.
[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 8 April and 3 June 2001 Peruvian presidential election results
Candidates - Parties Votes 1st round % Votes 2nd round %
Alejandro Toledo Manrique - Peru Possible 3 871 167 36.5 5 548 556 53.1
Alan Gabriel Ludwig García Pérez - Peruvian Aprist Party 2 732 857 25.8 4 904 929 46.9
Lourdes Celmira Rosario Flores Nano - National Unity 2 576 653 24.3 -
Luis Fernando Olivera Vega - Independent Moralizing Front 1 044 207 9.9 -
Carlos Alberto Boloña Behr - People's Solution 179 243 1.7 -
Ciro Alfredo Gálvez Herrera - Andean Renaissance 85 436 0.8 -
Marco Antonio Arrunátegui Cevallos - Project Country 79 077 0.8 -
Ricardo Noriega Salaverry - All for Victory 33 080 0.3 -
Total (turnout %)    
Blank 1 260 193 333 546
Invalid 402 436 1 341 938 -
Source: Oficina Nacional de Procesos Electorales.

After the impeachment of Fujimori, Alejandro Toledo could not run for the presidency again. The most recent presidential election was held on Sunday, April 9, 2006, and more than 16 million Peruvians were eligible to vote worldwide. With no candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote, there was a runoff election on June 4. After 77% of the second round (runoff) votes had been counted, García led Humala by 55.5% to 45.5% respectively. The latter conceded defeat to his opponent and congratulated his campaign stating at a news conference, "we recognise the results...and we salute the forces that competed against us, those of Mr Garcia". [1] Final results were closer, but still gave García the victory after getting 52.6% of the valid votes against Humala's 47.4%.

[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 9 April 2006 election results for members of the Congress of the Republic of Peru
and Peruvian members of the Andean Parliament
Parties Congress Andean Parliament
Votes % (Valid) Seats Votes % (Valid) Seats Substitutes
Union for Peru (Unión por el Perú)
includes Peruvian Nationalist Party (Partido Nacionalista Peruano)
 2,274,739 21.154 45 2,044,862 23.969 2 4
Peruvian Aprista Party (Partido Aprista Peruano) 2,213,562 20.586 36 1,927,834 22.597 2 4
National Unity (Unidad Nacional)
1,648,577 15.331 17 1,812,384 21.244 1 2
Alliance for the Future (Alianza por el Futuro)
1,408,055 13.095 13 793,443 9.300 0 0
Center Front (Frente del Centro)
760,245 7.070 5 479,367 5.619 0 0
Peru Possible (Perú Posible) 441,441 4.105 2 193,685 2.270 0 0
National Restoration (Restauración Nacional) 432,191 4.019 2 435,845 5.109 0 0
Alliance for Progress (Alianza Para el Progreso) 248,437 2.310 0 140,506 1.647 0 0
Independent Moralizing Front (Frente Independiente Moralizador) 156,418 1.455 0 77,514 0.909 0 0
Democratic Force (Fuerza Democrática) 153,435 1.427 0 - - - -
National Justice (Justicia Nacional) 151,163 1.406 0 96,982 1.137 0 0
Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) 134,164 1.248 0 140,092 1.642 0 0
New Left Movement (Movimiento Nueva Izquierda)
member of Broad Left Front (Frente Amplio de Izquierda) coalition
 133,102 1.238 0 81,699 0.958 0 0
Go on Country (Avanza País) 122,653 1.141 0 64,220 0.753 0 0
Decentralization Coalition (Concertación Descentralista)
91,783 0.854 0 - - - -
Agricultural People's Front of Peru
(Frente Popular Agrícola FIA del Perú - FREPAP)		 85,019 0.791 0 - - - -
Andean Renaissance (Renacimiento Andino) 75,444 0.702 0 53,071 0.622 0 0
With Force Peru (Con Fuerza Perú) 71,383 0.664 0 95,598 1.121 0 0
Peru Now (Perú Ahora) 46,439 0.432 0 24,571 0.288 0 0
Democratic Reconstruction (Reconstrucción Democrática) 28,775 0.268 0 27,397 0.321 0 0
Project Country (Proyecto País) 21,539 0.200 0 20,312 0.238 0 0
Peruvian Resurgence (Resurgimiento Peruano) 20,579 0.191 0 22,055 0.259 0 0
And It's Called Peru (Y se llama Perú) 19,859 0.185 0 - - - -
Let's Make Progress Peru (Progresemos Perú) 13,998 0.130 0 - - - -
Total valid 10,753,000 100 120 8,531,437 100 5 10
Blank 1,682,753 11.543 4,133,224 28.261
Invalid 2,117,929 14.792 1,960,563 13.405
Source: National Office of Electoral Processes

[edit] Judicial branch

The judicial branch of government is headed by a 16-member Supreme Court seated in Lima. The National Council of the Judiciary appoints judges to this court.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) interprets the constitution on matters of individual rights. Superior courts in departmental capitals review appeals from decisions by lower courts. Courts of first instance are located in provincial capitals and are divided into civil, penal, and special chambers. The judiciary has created several temporary specialized courts in an attempt to reduce the large backlog of cases pending final court action.

Peru's legal system is based on civil law system. Peru has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. In 1996 a human rights ombudsman's office (defensor del pueblo) was created to address human rights issues.

[edit] Administrative divisions

Peru's territory, according to the Regionalization Law which was passed on 18 November 2002, is divided into 25 regions (regiones). These regions are subdivided into provinces, which are composed of districts. There are a total of 180 provinces and 1747 districts in Peru.

Lima Province is not part of any political region.

[edit] Political pressure groups and leaders

Leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path Abimael Guzmán (imprisoned), Gabriel Macario (top leader at-large); Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA Victor Polay (imprisoned), Hugo Avellaneda Valdez (top leader at-large). Both Shining Path & MRTA are considered terrorist organizations.

[edit] International organization participation

Peru or Peruvian organizations participate in the following international organizations:

[edit] See also


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