Peru’s President Dina Boluarte Maintains Power Despite Record Low Approval Rating

Despite holding a staggering two percent approval rating, Peru’s President Dina Boluarte remains in power amidst a series of scandals and public protests. Analysts suggest her political weakness may benefit Congress, which has historically been plagued with instability. While the economy has shown some recovery, public discontent over security issues persists, leaving many hesitant to demand her ousting.

Peru’s President Dina Boluarte, with a staggering approval rating of merely two percent, now ranks among the least favored leaders globally. Despite suffering through scandals, public protests, and a slew of investigations, she still manages to cling to her presidential role. Her tumultuous journey began about 29 months ago, when protests erupted after her ascension to power, which was followed by allegations ranging from military suppression to more personal matters like a purported nose job and luxury gifts.

Political analysts suggest that her specific weaknesses might actually be a shield for her continued leadership. “In Peru, there is a political paradox: Boluarte is the weakest president of the last decade,” noted Augusto Alvarez, a political analyst at the University of the Pacific. He further remarked that her vulnerable position may serve lawmakers in Congress who seem to exploit her instability for their own political gain, thus allowing her to remain in office despite rampant discontent.

The nation has endured significant political turmoil recently, cycling through six different presidencies in just eight years. If Boluarte manages to finish her term, she will be recognized as the most stable leader in recent times. She assumed the presidency following the removal of Pedro Castillo, her predecessor, who was ousted after attempting to dissolve Congress. Boluarte, having been Castillo’s vice president, decided not to initiate new elections and instead took power directly.

Although lacking her own party in Congress, she navigated her way to hold on to power, largely thanks to the support from the majority of right-wing parties. However, her leadership has not come without significant backlash. Facing approximately a dozen probes into various matters, including the police actions that resulted in the deaths of 50 protesters, Boluarte’s legacy remains clouded by controversy. Notably infamous is “Rolexgate,” involving questions about her undeclared gifts of expensive jewelry and her unexplained absence for alleged medical surgery.

Polls reflect the downward spiral of her popularity, plummeting to an unprecedented two percent according to Ipsos. Alfredo Torres, president of Ipsos Peru, suggested this might be a “world record” for prolonged disapproval ratings in any presidency. While such low numbers are discouraging, it’s speculated that Congress may prefer her tenure because of their lack of suitable candidates to replace her and the ease with which they can pass favorable laws under her weakened authority.

In terms of the economy, recent reports indicate a positive turn with a GDP increase of 3.3 percent last year and an enticing 3.9 percent growth in the first quarter of 2025. This improvement contrasts starkly with the economy’s snapback from the COVID-19 pandemic-related recession, and despite the rising costs of living, inflation remains one of the lowest in the region. Alvarez pointed out that much of this economic stability might not directly stem from Boluarte’s policies, but rather international factors, such as increasing copper prices since Peru is a top producer.

Public sentiment towards Boluarte is overwhelmingly negative, especially in the face of rising gang violence and extortion-related murders that plague many communities. One resident, Saturnino Conde, criticized her capabilities, stating she lacks empathy and has failed to tackle urgent security issues. Marches calling for her removal with chants like “Dina, Asesina!” have gained traction among protestors.

However, experts do not foresee an imminent uprising against her government. Polls indicate that many Peruvians feel removing her would simply lead to another unpopular politician stepping in from Congress. Furthermore, the absence of a compelling alternative candidate contributes to a kind of political inertia among citizens, leaving many reluctant to escalate protests against her leadership.

In conclusion, President Dina Boluarte’s administration is marked by profound unpopularity and allegations of mismanagement, yet she continues to navigate the political landscape amid significant challenges. Despite her staggering disapproval ratings, analysts suggest that Congress may prefer her presence due to her political frailty, which allows them to operate with relative ease. As Peru’s economy shows signs of recovery, public dissatisfaction over safety and governance grows, yet the lack of viable alternatives may keep Boluarte in power until her term ends.

Original Source: www.france24.com