How powerful is the administration of Peru's Dina Boluarte?

Peru's private sector and civil society organizations think the influence of President Dina Boluarte is waning, with potentially dire consequences for political stability.

A poll by Ipsos Perú and news outlet Semana Económica of 205 business leaders, analysts, NGO representatives and public officials found that 76% thought Boluarte was the most powerful person in the country, compared with 85% in 2023.

In the same poll, 75% responded that Keiko Fujimori of Fuerza Popular party was the most powerful person, up from 52% in 2023, followed by César Acuña, leader of center-right Alianza Por el Progreso (APP) party, with 71%, up from 40%.

Boluarte's predecessor, leftist Pedro Castillo, who is currently imprisoned and was ousted because he tried to dissolve the legislature and establish an emergency government to rule by decree, reached 86% when he was in power. Castillo's vice president, Boluarte, took over after his ouster in 2022, in line with constitutional provisions.

The poll also confirmed what experts told BNamericas in June, namely that Boluarte's administration is sustained solely by congressional power-sharing agreements with Fujimori and Acuña, considering the government's public approval rating of 6%.

In this scenario, Boluarte faces the risk of Fujimori and Acuña withdrawing support over any issue and at any time, which could lead to impeachment before the regular presidential term ends in 2026.

According to Ipsos, 64% of citizens believe congress is more powerful than Boluarte.

Although Fuerza Popular holds only 22 of the 130 seats in congress and APP 11, they influence younger parties such as Podemos Perú and Boluarte's former vehicle Perú Libre because they have more experience and resources in advancing complicated initiatives. Moreover, the presidency of congress is held by Eduardo Salhuana (APP) and the vice presidency by Fuerza Popular member Patricia Juárez.

Fujimori has significant influence even though the daughter of former dictator Alberto Fuijimori was rejected by the electorate in national elections in 2011, 2016 and 2021. She is currently facing a judicial process on accusations of participating in a criminal organization.

Acuña is the governor of La Libertad region and has boosted his party's representation in public institutions like the health ministry. A former businessman who made a fortune by creating private universities, he has also faced questions on the origins of his wealth and even investigations into influence peddling.

Meanwhile, the government is failing to address major public concerns like rising crime, and even interior minister Juan José Santivañez is facing accusations of helping Perú Libre founder Vladimir Cerrón to disappear before he could be detained to serve a three-and-a-half year sentence for corruption.