Peru is once again confronting political instability. On October 10, 2025, Congress voted to remove President Dina Boluarte, citing “permanent moral incapacity.”
In the wake of her exit, José Jerí, then head of Congress, assumed the presidency.
But his first days in office have been marred by delays in forming a full Cabinet, exposing his thin political support and raising concerns about governance, crime control, and public confidence.
Political Upheaval and Context
Boluarte’s removal followed mounting public discontent over surging violence, corruption scandals, and institutional paralysis.
The impetus for her ouster included a wave of protests, intensifying crime rates—especially extortion—and high-profile allegations involving government officials and misuse of power.
Jerí, 38 years old, became Peru’s seventh leader in less than a decade—a designation that underscores the country’s chronic political turnover.
His elevation was orchestrated by lawmakers across blocs that had grown disillusioned with Boluarte’s presidency, but these same blocs differ sharply in policy priorities and personal loyalties.
Cabinet Formation- The Fight Behind the Scenes
Since being sworn in, President-Jerí has been working to assemble what he describes as a “national reconciliation Cabinet”.
Plans reportedly call for a 19-member Cabinet, with key portfolios such as Interior, Defense, Economy, and Justice prioritized.
Yet more than 72 hours have passed without a finalized list. Factions in Congress are bargaining fiercely over nominees, and Jerí—lacking a core political base—must balance demands from multiple sides.
The delay is more than procedural. It signals how weak Jerí’s mandate is: he depends on support from alliances that helped bring him to power but do not necessarily share his agenda or priorities.
Each ministry is a site of contestation, and pervasive distrust has slowed down consensus.
Why the Delay Matters
- Legitimacy and Mandate
A leader without a functioning Cabinet lacks the tools to govern. Jerí’s position remains precarious until he can deliver a credible team ready to command confidence from both Congress and the public. - Security and Crime Control
One of Jerí’s first—and loudest—promises was to “declare war on crime.” Without ministers in place, especially in defense and interior, he cannot operationalize policing, anti-extortion efforts, or crime suppression plans. - Institutional Gridlock
Peru has a history of legislative–executive standoffs. With fragmented party alignments and weak trust, a flawed or contested Cabinet could be blocked, undermined, or forced into repeated reshuffles. - Public Confidence
Peruvians are deeply distrustful of political elites. A bungled transition and delays in delivering results risk fueling fresh protests, social unrest, and further delegitimization.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of impeachment | October 10, 2025 |
| Incoming president | José Jerí (38 years old) |
| Ouster rationale | “Permanent moral incapacity,” rising crime, corruption crisis |
| Cabinet status (as of Oct 14, 2025) | Not finalized; more than 72 hours without full slate |
| Cabinet size under plan | 19 ministers |
| Jerí’s stated aim | Build a broad-based, inclusive Cabinet and tackle crime |
| Political risks | Fragmented Congress, weak mandate, public distrust, possible protests |
Stakes and Forecast
If Jerí is able to appoint a capable and balanced Cabinet, he might secure a confidence vote and gain breathing space to act.
Success would depend particularly on placing strong figures in ministries tied to security, justice, and economic stability.
If he cannot reach agreement—or if Congress rejects his lineup—Peru may spiral into deeper instability: more frequent presidential turnovers, ministerial purges, and street protests.
The speed and coherence of ministerial appointments will shape whether Jerí’s presidency is a stabilizing force or merely another chapter in Peru’s political rollercoaster.
Peru’s new president, José Jerí, stepped into office amid turbulence—but the first days have exposed the limits of his power.
The stalled Cabinet formation reveals how divided Congress remains and how fragile his political standing is.
The coming hours are critical: unless he can name and secure a competent Cabinet, his presidency risks being defined less by bold action than by paralysis and further unrest.
