Appointment Crisis in the Final Days of the Government in Peru: Backlash from Fujimori's Party

The tension experienced during the government change process in Peruvian politics has gained a new dimension. The main opposition and the incoming Fuerza Popular party requested a halt to last-minute appointments in state positions. Marco Vinelli, head of the party's transition team, sent an official letter to officials at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM), asking for new appointments and administrative decisions to be suspended. This request was considered a particularly notable 'administrative measure,' coming just a few weeks before the government's term expires. Vinelli argued that this step would preserve transparency in state administration and strengthen public trust.

This initiative by Fuerza Popular emerged as a direct result of the extraordinary appointments made by the current government recently. According to news reports in the press, more than fifty civil servants and bureaucrats in key positions have been changed within the last month. Furthermore, the appointment of members of Congress Jorge Marticorena as Minister of Education and Flavio Cruz as Minister of Labor caused significant controversy. Opposition sources emphasized that such sudden and massive staff changes for a 15-day government are completely unnecessary. Officials stated that these individuals carry the risk of making mistakes that will complicate the incoming administration.

Making a statement on the matter, Peruvian President José Balcázar rejected the request, stating that he will continue his constitutional duties. Balcázar expressed that it is impossible not to appoint a replacement in situations such as a minister resigning, and that the functioning of the state cannot be halted. Nevertheless, he claimed that they too would not resort to abuse during this process and would not pursue an unfair appointment policy. The President reminded that Keiko Fujimori will be officially inaugurated by the National Jury of Elections (JNE) on 15 July, and that he will legally remain in the presidential office until that date. Continuing his remarks, Balcázar added that the opposition forcing him to shut down the government is unacceptable.

These appointment policies of the current government have caused serious concern not only among politicians but also among civil society and experts. Public administration expert Karla Gaviño stated that changing high-level officials so frequently is an unusual and extremely dangerous situation. The expert pointed out that such arbitrary appointments could cause disruptions in the country's critical sectors, from education to health. Gaviño emphasized that if merit and appropriate criteria are not considered in appointments, basic state services will be disrupted and the public will suffer. She also added that the public needs to be clearly informed about the real reasons behind such frequent changes of ministers and bureaucrats.

Meanwhile, political bargaining for commission chairmanships has accelerated in the lower and upper chambers of the Peruvian Congress, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The Juntos por el Perú party is running a strong campaign to secure the chairmanships of the Constitution and Economy commissions. Similarly, the Renovación Popular party is making strategic moves by nominating Norma Yarrow for the board of directors of the Chamber of Deputies. These distribution struggles in parliament, combined with the appointment crises in the executive branch of the government, are increasing uncertainty in the country. All these developments are interpreted as a clear indication of how difficult and contentious a process awaits Peru in the new term in both the executive and legislative bodies.