Peruvian President Calls for Early Elections Amidst Protests

Protestors fill the streets of Lima as law enforcement attempts to restrain the crowds. Source: Martin Mejia / AP

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has called for general elections to occur on April 12th, a year early, amidst mass political protests and demonstrations calling for her resignation. Boluarte hopes that the new elections will “not only allow [Peruvian] citizens to exercise their right to vote but also put an end to the period of political instability that has led Peru to have six presidents in recent years.”

Although she is hopeful that political instability will decrease as a result of the election, Boluarte’s decision comes amidst the extreme civil unrest caused by violent protests, the likes of which have sent Lima and the province of Callao into a state of emergency.

Protesters are demanding Boluarte’s resignation, a new constitution, the closing of Congress, and the release of former socialist president Pedro Castillo. Citizens have blockaded highways, burnt buildings, invaded airports, all causing tens of millions of dollars in damage. The crackdown from law enforcement has only continued to enrage protestors, with an estimated 50 civilians dead thus far, including some victims who were not actively involved in protests. 

The tension behind the unrest, however, is years in the making. A brief understanding of the political backdrop supporting these protests helps to color the nuances of the issue.

The current wave of protests and resistance were sparked by the ousting of President Castillo on December 7, 2022. Castillo, an Indigenous person from the southern regions of Peru, attempted to use the Peruvian military to stop Congress from impeaching him on charges of corruption and treason. The impeachment vote was a result of the constitutional complaint Attorney General Patricia Benavides filed against Castillo, alleging that Castillo was leading a well-known criminal organization. The military, however, refused to execute this coup and Castillo was removed from power.  Though he had minimal support in Lima and the surrounding areas, many of the Indigenous groups and supporters from the southern regions of the country are now leading and participating in the protests, demonstrating their support for Castillo despite his removal from office.

While Castillo’s impeachment was the catalyst for the current waves of protests ravaging Lima today, the core political debate is rooted in the language and interpretation of the Peruvian constitution. The document is ambiguous regarding which branch of government has more power: Congress or the President. Different interpretations have led to unstable political conditions for years, as can be demonstrated by the country having seven different presidents in the span of six years. This is an issue to look out for in the upcoming election cycle, as protesters are calling for a rewrite of the Constitution. Evidently, the balance of power between the President and Congress is an issue all candidates will have to address.

Those following this election cycle should remain alert in the coming days as Lima begins to respond to Boluarte’s call for elections. Boluarte herself has not announced whether she will be running, instead directing her public comments towards expressing her hopes that the early elections will help return stability to Peru. In this current time of political polarization, as well as the dismantling of long standing Peruvian political parties, the upcoming elections may not guarantee much sought-after peace and stability. After all, the past two leaders of the country have struggled with low support and approval ratings, even after being elected. However, Boluarte remains hopeful and in the meantime, the country is preparing the necessary election infrastructure, and protestors are still protesting.