LIMA, Peru — Peru’s Prime Minister Denisse Miralles stepped down Tuesday before facing a mandatory confirmation vote in the nation’s legislature, where she needed majority support to retain her position.
Miralles received her appointment as prime minister in late February following the removal of Interim President José Jerí due to corruption charges. Congressman Jose María Balcázar took over the presidency after Jerí’s departure.
Under Peru’s governmental structure, prime ministers oversee the execution of government policies but are appointed rather than elected and do not serve as the head of the executive branch, a role reserved for the president.
The former economy minister under Jerí offered no explanation for her departure. Speaking to reporters, Miralles expressed doubt about obtaining the legislative majority necessary for Wednesday’s confirmation vote.
An independent oversight body, the Fiscal Council, recently criticized Miralles’ ministry for failing to oppose 26 congressional laws, leading to substantial increases in government expenditures.
The South American nation will conduct presidential elections on April 12, featuring more than two dozen contenders vying for the position.
Should no candidate achieve a majority exceeding 50% of votes, the two leading vote-getters will compete in a runoff election scheduled for June.
Political instability has plagued Peru with eight different presidents serving over the last ten years, many ousted by Congress following corruption scandals. However, the country’s economic situation has remained relatively steady throughout this period, as successive administrations have maintained conservative financial policies featuring controlled government spending while welcoming foreign investment in sectors such as mining and infrastructure development.
