LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru’s first female president appeared in a nationally televised military ceremony Friday, her first official appearance as head of state, attempting to cement her hold on power and buck a national trend of premature presidential exits.
In a sign of continuing political animosity, some politicians have already called for early elections, and protests are planned.
Tina Bolvard was promoted from vice president to replace leftist Pedro Castillo, who was ousted as the country’s president on Wednesday. He has said that he should be allowed to remain in office for the remaining 3 1/2 years.
Boularte addressed members of the armed forces during a ceremony marking the historic battle. Flanked by leaders of the judiciary and Congress, Boularde sat among lawmakers trying to remove Castillo from office.
“Our country is strong and safe because of the armed forces, the navy, the air force and the army of Peru,” Poulard said in front of hundreds of members of the armed forces in Peru’s capital.
After being sworn in as president on Wednesday, Bolavarte called a truce with lawmakers who impeached Castillo for “permanent moral incapacity,” a section of the constitution that experts say is too vague to allow the president to be removed for any reason. It was also used to oust President Martin Vizcarra, who ruled from 2018-2020.
Peru has had six presidents in the past six years. Boluarte is a 60-year-old lawyer and political novice.
As Peru’s new head of state, he soon began to show himself in public affairs. He met with groups of conservative and liberal lawmakers at the presidential palace. Before that, watch the procession of the Roman Catholic Virgin and perform the Andean dance.
Analysts predict a tough road ahead for the new president.
Jorge Aragon, a professor of political science at Peru’s Pontifical Catholic University, said a Poluarte government would be “extremely complicated, if not impossible”.
Former president Ollanta Humala, who ruled from 2011-2016, noted that the new president was not involved in politics or government before becoming vice president.
“She doesn’t have the tools to rule,” Humala N. told TV. He predicted that any truce with the Congress would “last for a month or more, but the country’s major problems would come to her.”
Jean-Paul Benavente, governor of the Cusco region, called for an early vote for a new president, saying it would provide “a solution to the country’s political crisis.”
In the streets, smaller demonstrations by Castillo supporters continued in the capital and other parts of Peru, including the district capital of Tacabamba, near Castillo’s rural home. Demonstrators demanded the ousted leader walk free, rejected Polwart as president and called for a shutdown of Congress.
In Lima, protesters trying to reach the Congress building clashed with police, who used batons and tear gas to push them back, and more protests were planned for Friday.
“All that’s left are people. We don’t have officers, we don’t have anything,” Juana Ponce, one of the protesters, said this week. “It’s a national shame. All these corrupt congressmen have sold out. They betrayed our President Pedro Castillo.
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