The World’s Most Unpopular President? Peru’s Leader Clings to Power
Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has plunged to a mere two percent approval rating, marking her as potentially the world’s most unpopular leader. Amid numerous scandals and protests, she stays in power, bolstered by Congress’s support. Analysts suggest her weakened position may ironically protect her, while rising economic performance complicates public dissent. Despite widespread criticism, a strong opposition remains lacking, which may allow her to fulfill her term amid growing public dissatisfaction.
In Peru, President Dina Boluarte has garnered attention as potentially the world’s most unpopular leader, with a staggering approval rating reported at just two percent. Despite this, she remains in power, surrounded by protests, scandals, and ongoing investigations that have marred her administration since she assumed office nearly 29 months ago. Her journey was not a smooth one; protests erupted as soon as she took over, and controversies have continued to haunt her, including allegations regarding military repression, received jewels, and even a rumored nose job.
Political analysts suggest that while Boluarte, at 62 years old, is currently the weakest president in recent Peruvian history, her very fragility may ironically protect her from being ousted. For example, Augusto Alvarez, a political analyst from the University of the Pacific, pointed out how her vulnerabilities might serve the interests of congressional lawmakers who could use her to consolidate their own power rather than pursue a more robust leadership.
Peru’s landscape of political instability is stark, having cycled through six presidents in a mere eight years. If Boluarte manages to hold on until the end of her term in July 2024, she would earn the title of Peru’s longest-serving leader in the last decade, succeeding former leftist president Pedro Castillo, who was impeached and imprisoned in December 2022.
Notably, Boluarte does not lead a political party within Congress, which complicates her position. Nevertheless, she continues to maintain her presidency largely due to support from the majority right-wing factions in the parliament. However, her administration faces a storm of scrutiny; she is currently under investigation for various reasons, including the police response that led to the deaths of 50 protesters and failing to declare luxury gifts in a scandal dubbed ‘Rolexgate.’ Then there is the two-week absence for surgery, which she insists was essential and not a cosmetic procedure.
Recent polling data reveals that Boluarte’s approval rating has plummeted dramatically from 21 percent at the start of her term, indicating a significant decline in public support. Alfredo Torres, president of Ipsos Peru, pointed out that no other leader in their survey of 90 countries has recorded such low numbers historically. Despite all this, reasons for her continued hold on power do exist. Boluarte’s inability to generate strong opposition could be somewhat of a blessing for those in Congress, giving them the freedom to pass favorable laws without significant pushback.
Moreover, on a more positive note, the country’s economy has shown resilience, with a reported GDP growth of 3.3 percent last year and 3.9 percent in the early part of 2025, partly due to rising copper prices. Inflation rates in Peru remain comparatively low, providing some pride to Boluarte’s administration despite rampant criticism regarding her governance.
On city streets, however, sentiment against her is palpable. Citizens express dissatisfaction with her inability to tackle rising gang violence and extortion-related killings in the country. There’s a growing chorus of voices at protests, with slogans like “Dina, Asesina!” (Dina, Murderer) making their rounds. Yet, analysts argue that a significant uprising against her administration may not materialize for several reasons. The prevailing sentiment appears to be that replacing her with another congressional member might not yield any better results, given the equally poor reputation Congress holds with the public. Additionally, critics argue there is a lack of a strong alternative candidate to rally behind, which contributes to public inertia regarding calls for her resignation.
Despite being possibly the most unpopular president globally, Dina Boluarte’s political survival hinges on the dynamics within the Peruvian Congress and factors like economic growth. As protests and scandals surround her administration, public dissatisfaction grows. Nonetheless, the absence of viable alternatives and political deadlocks may allow her to cling to power until the end of her term in mid-2024. Peru’s unique political paradox could keep her in office despite her low approval ratings, underscoring the complexities of governance in a historically unstable region.
Original Source: www.france24.com
