Exploring political turmoil in Peru with focus on democratic backsliding, corruption allegations, and removal of judicial members. Analysis of coalition in Congress promoting anti-transparency measures. Scandal involving Prime Minister raising government instability concerns. Peru's challenges with organized crime, societal issues, and historical resilience.
Congress's conflict with Junta Nacional de Justicia poses a threat to Peru's judiciary and political landscape.
Peru's democratic backsliding is fueled by Congress's control over state agencies, undermining transparency and independence.
Deep dives
The Junta Nacional de Justicia's Importance and Controversy
The Junta Nacional de Justicia, a powerful institution in Peru, is responsible for appointing and removing judges and prosecutors, leading to controversy over its role in purging corruption from the judiciary. Congress' ongoing conflict with the Junta has escalated, culminating in a potential vote to remove its members, which could significantly impact Peru's political landscape and control over key authorities and institutions.
Congressional Alliances and Political Pressures
Various political forces in Congress, including the Fuhimoriistas and the Far Left party Peru Libre, have formed unusual alliances to push for initiatives that undermine transparency and the independence of institutions. This coalition's actions, alongside smaller parties aligning with them, reflect a broader pattern of exerting control and driving changes that could potentially reshape Peru's political system.
Democratic Backsliding and Institutional Erosion in Peru
Peru faces challenges of democratic backsliding manifested by weakening rule of law, erosion of separation of powers, and Congress gaining control over independent institutions. The country's declining rankings in democracy indices reflect Congress's effective co-opting of state agencies and regulatory bodies, indicating a significant threat to Peru's democratic foundations and the potential for further political instability.
Political instability persists in Peru. This week, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola resigned and Congress is expected to decide if it will remove the members of the Junta Nacional de Justicia, a body that helps select the composition of the judiciary. This is just the latest in a crisis that has been running for years – Peru famously has had six presidents in seven years. Some Peruvians say their democracy is under threat. What’s the best framework to think about the kind of democratic backsliding we are witnessing there? What are the forces driving this? And what are the real risks of such instability’s for Peru’s economy? This week we take a broad look at these trends with Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
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