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Weekly Report - 28 August 2014 (WR-14-34)

PERU: Jarring victory for prime minister

It was hardly a resounding vote of confidence. At the third time of asking congress grudgingly gave its backing to President Ollanta Humala’s choice of prime minister, Ana Jara, on 26 August, but only when the head of congress, Ana María Solórzano, used her prerogative to cast the deciding vote after a 54-54 deadlock. Last March Jara’s predecessor, René Cornejo, also had to endure three votes in congress, which increasingly resembles a bear pit for aspiring prime ministers. The opposition sought to extract myriad concessions from Jara, including a cabinet reshuffle, in exchange for its constitutionally mandated vote of confidence. She did not oblige. The subsequent victory, however, was Pyrrhic. Jara now faces the prospect of a chastening defeat as the opposition Fujimoristas prepare to present a motion of censure against Energy and Mines Minister Eleodoro Mayorga.

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