By Marco Aquino
LIMA (Reuters) -Peruvian President Jose Jeri scrambled to assemble a new government after taking office on Friday, looking to tap names that can help calm widespread public anger over rising crime and corruption ahead of next year’s elections.
Jeri is now pulling together his 19-member cabinet, two sources at his office told Reuters, a critical test in his efforts to form a consensus cabinet to calm a volatile nation.
The 38-year-old took office after his predecessor, Dina Boluarte, was ousted in an overnight congressional session. Congress voted to remove the deeply unpopular leader for “moral incapacity” after mounting public anger and protests over a surge in crime that has seen extortion and murders skyrocket.
Public anger came to a head after one of the country’s most popular cumbia bands was attacked mid-concert on Wednesday at a venue owned by the Peruvian army. Congress introduced multiple motions to impeach Boluarte on Thursday.
Jeri, a conservative politician who has been embroiled in controversy of his own including a shelved sexual assault investigation and allegations of corruption that he has denied, is Peru’s seventh president since 2016.
Most of his predecessors over the past nine years were removed from office or resigned amid scandals and some Peruvians reacted to the latest presidential change with skepticism.
“As for President Jeri, we don’t have much faith in him either, but unfortunately, there is no one else to steer the ship,” said Edwar Sandoval, a shopper at a popular Lima market. “May God help us.”
Jeri has maintained he has a clean record and called for unity during his first address as president.
“It is time to ask for forgiveness for any mistakes that may have been made,” Jeri said.
“To all Peruvians, I offer my apologies and a promise: the promise to begin building and laying the foundations of a country that, through empathy, allows for reconciliation among all Peruvians.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy in Peru said its government was committed to working with Jeri on “the most pressing priorities” as the country prepares for elections next year.
Jeri, who headed Congress before becoming president, is now set to finish the current presidential term ending in July. General elections are scheduled for April.
(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Alexander Villegas, Deepa Babington and Chris Reese)
