He sociologist and political scientist Martin Tanakadirector of the School of Government and Public Policy of the Pontifical Catholic University (PUCP) and researcher at the Institute of Peruvian Studies (IEP), believes that the Message from President Dina Boluarte of July 28 “has not shown any major relevant initiatives, has not addressed the problems that most concern citizens nor has she responded to the strongest questions about the Government.” She warns that it was a very long speech because the majority of Peruvians do not have much hope for the president and she is only looking for some oxygen with projects or measures amidst the inertia, while Congress supports her until 2026.
–What is your impression of such a long speech?
-It is a reflection of what your government is: has not shown any major relevant initiativeshas not addressed the problems that most concern citizens nor has it responded to the strongest questions to the Government. The Government’s self-absorption is evident in the length of this speech. It is as if It will no longer matter who listens to her or who doesn’t listen to her.has simply limited itself to doing an overview of all sectoral initiatives leaving aside whether the congressmen listen to her and whether the citizens are paying attention, because such a long speech is not possible to follow for the vast majority of people.
–How important is this Government’s commitment to private investment considering the economic situation and the decline that the country experienced in 2023?
-It is a reflection of the mediocrity of the government. It is based on the announcement of works that it promotes, betting that this can be the basis for reactivating the economy, but experts say that as long as the investment climate does not change and the confidence of that private investment is not recovered, this will not change much. And the confidence in Private investment has to do with the institutionalpolitical viability. The president says that the government is committed to promoting Aunt Maria and that those who oppose it do so for ideological reasons when they should sit down with farmers and convince them that the coexistence of mining and agriculture is viable and not accuse them of being ideological.
–Regarding Tía María, you have been reminded of the speech she gave during the electoral campaign, which was against the project. Is the factor of falling into lies emphasized in Boluarte?
-More than that, he has had a total political metamorphosis. From being Pedro Castillo’s vice president and supporting his electoral platform of 21 to speaking very emphatically about promoting private investment without addressing the real problems that limit it, which has to do with the fact that There is no investment climate in the midst of weakness, institutional precariousness and very large politicsThe government should urgently address this, but it is not on its agenda.
–He began by thanking Congress for defending democracy in the face of protests. What does that mean?
-The Government has opted for rely on parliamentary support to survive and reach 26. He has chosen to minimize the conflict with Congress. Even though he has observed some laws, he does not come out to defend them and usually ends up yielding to parliamentary power, which limits the capacity of the Executive to defend its points of view.
–Does this message show a government weaker than a year ago?
-Paradoxically it is stronger in the sense that there would be the stage of early elections has been overcomeA year ago, it was more likely that the government could fall and hold early elections, but today most actors have resigned themselves to the fact that the elections will be in 2026 and, from that point of view, Boluarte has precariously consolidated his position. Inertia and worrying initiatives from Congress prevail.
–What does this message say to citizens, considering that there are protests?
-At this point, the approval of the citizens towards the president and Congress is minimal, and for some time now the citizens have not expected anything from her speech or her initiatives. There have been protests in different parts of different nuclei, but being relevant, They have no strength to impose a scenario of early elections. In addition, the electoral calendar is practically working, the political actors are already thinking about candidates and this dynamic will be very difficult to change. There is a feeling of widespread discouragement.
–Insecurity is one of the country’s main concerns. How do you view this issue in the speech?
-Isolated initiatives are announced, which in themselves may be good, but There is no more decisive strategywith more political will that would require coordinating efforts with the justice system, and having more ambitious goals to achieve more significant results. Inertia is prevailing, and there is a feeling of very little self-criticism.
–Last year He asked for forgivenessDo you notice triumphalism today?
-Yes, now there is a more triumphalist climatewhich is also expressed in the length of the speech, as if saying: “look, We are doing a lot“That’s why the speech was so long. There was a lot of complacency and a huge disconnection with what citizens perceive.
–The fight against corruption, another concern of citizens, perhaps has a significant symbolic aspect in the presence of Nicanor Boluarte in the stands…
-That’s right. Moreover, the president talks about the fight against corruption, but does not give convincing or sufficient explanations about the accusations of corruption that are levelled against her and those closest to her. This makes those words sound hollow.
–How can we approach joint work with other institutions in the justice system when there are cases under investigation and confrontations with the authorities?
-That’s right. And Parliament is weakening effective collaboration, reducing statutes of limitations, limiting the figure of organized crime. We are going backwards through the Executive and Congress. These are the most worrying issues and He didn’t talk about it at allThe president of Congress himself is linked to informal and illegal mining activities and has presented projects in favour of them. The president acts as if none of this exists.
–Has the controversy with the inter-American human rights system been a considerable absence in this message?
-He didn’t mention anything about that. It makes me think that There is no clear decision to crash against the inter-American justice system. He said other things on international matters. I understand that there is no clear decision on this matter, and that they are still evaluating what to do.
–Can this message be given on July 28 when there is widespread rejection from the public and we can still wait until 2026 or is there a pressure cooker that will explode before that deadline?
-It is very difficult to know, but the vast majority do not believe him. nor does he expect anything from the president and is resigned to the end of the mandate. The electoral calendar has already begun to take effect, as the registration period for party members recently ended, and there will be more and more talk about the next government, candidates, and this government will take a backseat. Unless there is a major problem, which cannot be ruled out, it is most likely that the electoral scenario start to get into the dynamics of what’s left of the year and the next.
–Would it seem that no matter how many lies or inaccuracies the message contains, it doesn’t matter what it says?
-Yes, because the president’s approval rating is almost zero. It’s been a while since the president’s approval rating citizens stopped believing him or have expectations of it.
–Is that why you repeat that joining the OECD is a state policy?
-Exactly. The Government does not take any major initiatives, but Congress approves a law so that crimes against humanity are subject to a statute of limitations. That is what against international standards which would imply entry into the OECD, but the government pretends that this does not exist because it does not want to confront Parliament. And in Congress, there is a very conservative majority that legislates against human rights and in favor of organized crime.
–If some of the projects she mentioned, such as Majes-Siguas, Chinecas, Chancay, the Ancón industrial park, the new airport and APEC, generate some successes, will this not mean political capital for her and for the departure of her government?
-It will distract people. Surely the economy, due to a certain rebound from the bad situation it had last year, will improve a little. There will be international meetings that will allow the president to divert attention from the country’s problems. This is the Government’s bet: gain some oxygen that will allow them to arrive, but they will have noticeable effects in the short term.
–Is that also why there are so many ads and so many different ones: to hit on something?
-Yes. As long as there is nothing substantive to highlight, the translation is: I am making a lot in all sectors. But there is no very significant initiative anywhere, they are all works, actions that, although important, do not alter the perception of the problems or affect the causes of the problems that most concern citizens.
–The great contradiction between Boluarte in the 2021 electoral campaign and the beginning of the Castillo Government and now remains to be seen. Is this a point of no return, something insurmountable or is there still a way to reconcile these two ‘Boluartes’?
-No, at this point, he has deepened his commitment to relying on this conservative coalition in Congress and the most conservative sectors of the country. It is already very clear.
