What Type of Government Does Peru Have?
Since the 1990s, Peru has seen changes to its government and the institution of democratic elections. Peru’s current leader is President Martín Vizcarra, originally elected in 2018 with a five-year term. Understanding exactly what type of government Peru has and the other components of its political system is key to appreciating not only the Peruvian government’s stability but also the ability of the country to adapt to the present times.
Basic Overview of Peru’s Government
Peru is a constitutional republic made up of a larger central government and then split into 25 regions. In Peru, the executive power rests in the President, who is elected by popular vote via a two-round system, and the Prime Minister, who is elected by the President. The legislative power resides in the unicameral Congress, which holds all of the ability to pass laws and hold debates that affect the country’s people. The judicial power lies in the Supreme Court and its associated lower courts. All officials are given a limited amount of terms.
Election Process In Peru
Peru’s election process is overseen by the National Office of Electoral Processes and is largely conformant with the Organization for American States’ guidelines for open, fair, and transparent elections. Peruvian citizens that are 18 and older are eligible to vote and there are established procedures in place to help those with disabilities or other unique needs in the voting process.
The congressional and presidential elections in Peru are held every 5 years. The elections are conducted in two rounds. In the first election, citizens cast votes for parties via proportional representation. The two parties that receive the most votes in the first election then proceed to the second round, where citizens cast votes for a specific presidential candidate. In addition, the male and female presidential candidates who receive the most votes in the second round then become the President and Vice President of Peru.
The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of Peru is the head of the Cabinet, the body that advises the President on various matters and makes sure that the laws are executed on behalf of the Executive Branch. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and is responsible for the operations of the government and the coordination of government initiatives.
Political System and Political Parties
The Peruvian government is divided into three branches (executive, legislative and judiciary). In addition, the Peruvian Constitution gives a large degree of autonomy to the regions (25 in total) and permits the formation of a large number of political parties with varying ideologies and platforms. The original political parties in Peru included the APRA, the Popular Action, and the Peruvian Aprista Party. In the 1990s, a new group of right-wing parties emerged, including the Union for Peru and the National Unity Party.
The current political climate in Peru is marked by the presence of a variety of political views and parties, though there is no clear divide between left-wing and right-wing forces. This lack of political division has allowed Peru to focus on enacting socially oriented laws without getting bogged down in partisan politics.
Impact of Peru’s Government Type
The type of government that Peru possesses has allowed it to make considerable progress in many areas and to remain relatively stable politically. This has helped spur economic growth and create greater freedoms for its citizens. Additionally, Peru’s government has solidified its place in the international community and strengthened its relations with other countries.
Social Programs in Peru
The government has implemented numerous social programs in Peru that directly benefit its citizens. One of the most well-known programs is the Universal Child Allowance (UCA), which provides income assistance to children and young people while they are still in school. This has been successful in promoting equality and helping to reduce poverty and inequality in the country.
The Peru Solidarity Program is another social program that seeks to reduce poverty. This program provides support and technical assistance in health, education, housing, access to clean water, and other areas to rural and Indigenous communities. Additionally, it promotes local economic development and small business opportunities, helps create jobs and provides access to financial services.
The Peru Social Inclusion Program (PSIP) is also in place to assist citizens in need. This program provides income support and training to those who have been affected by the economic crisis. Additionally, the government has implemented a “household-level basic income” program that serves as a safety net for vulnerable segments of the population.
The current type of government in Peru has enabled the country to make great strides in terms of economic growth, social programs, and international relations. Peru’s mix of presidential democracy, unicameral legislature and Supreme Court has proved to be a successful combination that has provided a stable political environment in which the country can progress. The various social programs implemented in Peru demonstrate the government’s commitment to its people and further underscore the success the country has seen thanks to adopting a strong democratic government.
