Pedro Castillo is preparing to take the lead in a polarized Peru in the midst of crisis
The elected president of Peru, Pedro Castillo, on July 23, 2021 in Lima.
SEBASTIAN CASTANEDA POOL / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
This Wednesday, July 28, the new Peruvian President Pedro Castillo will take office at the start of the investiture ceremonies which will take place over three days.
Officially designated as the winner of the election 6 weeks after the second round, this former teacher and trade unionist, candidate of the radical left and new to politics, takes the reins of a country in the midst of a political, economic and health crisis.
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Peruvians are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Peru's proclamation of Independence in this year 2021. A day that will also go down in history as that of the arrival at the head of the Republic of a candidate from the radical left.
Pedro Castillo, often presented as a communist by his detractors, should mark a break in Peruvian politics.
Political tensions
To avoid any overflow in
this very polarized country
on the occasion of his inauguration, an important security system will be deployed. 10,000 police officers, drones and helicopters will notably be mobilized in Lima to guarantee security. 2,000 additional police officers will be assigned to the protection of personalities who will attend these investiture ceremonies.
It must be said that among those expected include the King of Spain and many regional leaders.
These investiture ceremonies will continue on Thursday, July 29 in the city of Ayacucho, located in the Andes, nearly 350 kilometers from the capital.
A symbolic place since it was in this locality, on December 9, 1824, that the Liberation Army sealed the independence of Peru.
A Republic today in crisis and more divided than ever with the arrival of Pedro Castillo.
►Also read: Peru: Pedro Castillo, a novice and Métis president facing many challenges
Constituent assembly project
He was elected by Peruvians who hope for real change.
But will Pedro Castillo be able to meet their expectations?
The candidate of the radical left, new to politics, does not enjoy any support within the Congress of the Republic, a unicameral body that plays a vital role within the state.
Pedro Castillo aims to set up a Constituent Assembly with a view to reforming a Constitution adopted in 1993 and whose drafting was directed by former President Alberto Fujimori.
Pedro Castillo will therefore have to negotiate with political parties who have constantly denounced his political orientation considered too left-wing.
Among the other priority projects of the new president is of course the fight against the pandemic.
Peru is one of the most affected countries regionally.
Education will also be a priority issue for this former teacher and trade unionist who will also have to find new alliances on a regional and international level and above all try to reconcile very divided Peruvians.
►Also listen: Eco from here eco from elsewhere - Peru: and the economic downfall harder
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Peru
Pedro Castillo