Politics & Government Guide · PeruPolitics & Government Guide in Peru
Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions
Peru is experiencing severe political instability, having had nine presidents in a decade. Congress has effectively converted the presidential system into a de facto parliamentary one through repeated presidential removals, most recently ousting José Jerí in February 2026 and replacing him with interim President José María Balcázar. The country is rated a hybrid regime by the Economist Intelligence Unit, with weakened democratic institutions, high corruption, and Congress holding disproportionate power over the executive and judiciary.
Political Stability
Below Average
Corruption Index
Below Average
Democracy Index
Below Average
Government Type
Unitary semi-presidential representative democratic republic
Legal System
Civil law system based on the 1993 Constitution with Constitutional Court oversight
Head of State
President José María Balcázar(since 2026)
Head of Government
Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén(Independent)since 2024
Political Indicators
Political Stability
Scale: 0-1
Unstable
World Bank Political Stability Index (2024)
Corruption Index
Scale: 0-100
Transparency International (2024)
Press Freedom
Scale: 0-100
Reporters Without Borders (2024)
Democracy Index
Scale: 0-10
Hybrid regime
Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)
Legislature
Major Political Parties
Right-wing
Left-wing
Center
Voting Rights
Peruvian citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote in presidential, congressional, and local elections. Voting is compulsory for citizens. Indigenous and minority groups have constitutional protections for political participation.
Recent Developments
- February 2026: Congress removed interim President José Jerí and elected José María Balcázar as interim president, marking the ninth presidential change in a decade
- Congress has effectively transformed Peru's presidential system into a de facto parliamentary system through repeated presidential removals without formal constitutional amendment
- Ongoing institutional crisis with Congress holding dominant power over the executive branch, undermining independent institutions including the judiciary and Constitutional Court
- Presidential elections scheduled for July 2026 amid continued political instability and institutional weakness
- Congress has systematically weakened checks and balances, including removal of independent prosecutors and manipulation of the Constitutional Tribunal composition
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