The distribution of ministries to the different political forces with a presence in Congress and that have had a certain closeness with the Executive has a main objective: to seek the survival of the ministerial cabinet in the next request for the vote of confidence, a scenario that becomes tighter , and to avoid a presidential vacancy.
risky decisions
The Government distanced itself from Peru Libre with the departure of Guido Bellido, in October 2021. Since that date, its Secretary General, Vladimir Cerrón, commented on social networks on the characteristics that the ministerial team should have.
Thus, on February 5, the day after the president announced the reconformation of the Valer cabinet, he pointed out that it must be made up of representative forces in Parliament, academics “convinced of the mission of a new homeland” and professionals who implement ” the program”, in reference to the one offered in the campaign, which the perulibristas demanded from the president.
Later, as this newspaper reported, Cerrón published a message that he later deleted, stating that if the new premier did not “guarantee seats”, he was “on the way to open the vacancy.”
After holding meetings with President Pedro Castillo, he decided to cede power to Peru Libre in the Executive by handing over crucial portfolios for the country: the Ministries of Health and Energy and Mines.
Despite the fact that Peru Libre is not a majority in Congress, according to the information collected, the president did consider it important to continue counting on the 32 votes of Peru Libre. Of these, at least half are from the cerronista wing that has previously opposed the government by not giving the vote of confidence to Mirtha Vásquez’s cabinet. The other half is from the teachers’ bloc that did maintain communication with the president during these months.
With this action, the perulibristas have highlighted that the presence of Peru Libre in the Executive should not be criticized because it was the one that won the elections.
“The Government has been won by Peru Libre, therefore it is incumbent on him to appoint the ministers. The president has all the autonomy to call the person he deems appropriate to exercise the ministries”, commented Alfredo Pariona, from the cerronista wing of Peru Libre, and reiterated that they will defend “governability”.
Likewise, the legislator confirmed that the current relationship between President Castillo and the leadership of Peru Libre is closer: “Indeed (the relationship is more fluid). We are a party of mutual communication. Obviously with all the discrepancies and differences.”
forces and balance
With the Valer cabinet, the alliance with New Peru broke down, and by not having Cevallos, also a former congressman from the Broad Front, the political force that remained from the previous efforts is Together for Peru, with Roberto Sánchez in the Mincetur. Now there is also a presence of Somos Perú with the Minister of Culture, Alejandro Salas, a member of this party.
The sources indicate that, by giving these political forces more space, they sought to create “a balance” by appointing Aníbal Torres as premier. The lawyer previously had strong statements contrary to Cerrón. They also mention that “it was not going to leave” those who make up the so-called “shadow cabinet”, those who “have been losing weight.”
Evaluate changes based on background
Torres reported that the Minister of Health, Hernán Condori, is being evaluated, but indicated that his situation will be defined when the accusations against him are verified.
Sources in the Palace indicate that a former Minsa official with experience is being analyzed as a possible replacement.
Likewise, the case of the Ministry of Justice is reviewed. The possibility that Torres returns to the sector and Cevallos occupies the premiership is being considered. However, the proposal is still only handled at the advisory level.
They specify that the evaluations of changes occur due to the refusal of some benches to grant confidence.
Infographic – The Republic
