Castillo Set To Name Fifth Prime Minister Since Taking Office

Peru President Pedro Castillo will undertake a cabinet reshuffle after accepting the resignation of Prime Minister Anibal Torres. Part of an escalating dispute between the executive and opposition-controlled Congress.

• Castillo said in an address, "Having accepted the resignation of the prime minister […] I will renew the Cabinet."
• Lawmakers have twice tried to impeach Castillo, censured members of Castillo’s cabinet, and blocked the President’s international travels - leading Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to suspend the Pacific Alliance summit due to take place today.
• Castillo will now name his fifth prime minister since taking office in July ‘21, but Torres’ resignation has, in the short term, averted a confidence vote in Castillo and offset a deeper constitutional crisis.
• If Congress formally undertakes a confidence vote in the President, it could oust Castillo’s entire cabinet. There is an associated risk for lawmakers as the incoming cabinet could issue a second confidence vote and trigger snap legislative elections.
• The path out of the current crisis in unclear. According to Ipsos, 66% of voters disapprove of Castillo - which may dissuade Castillo loyalist from taking a unified stance against Congress.