President of Peru facts for kids

This page is about President of the Republic of Peru. For a list, see List of presidents of Peru.

Quick facts for kids Constitutional President of the Republic of Peru
Presidential Standard
Incumbent Dina Boluarte since 7 December 2022
Executive branch of the Government of the Republic of Peru
Style	Madame President (informal) Her Excellency (formal, diplomatic)
Residence	Palacio de Gobierno
Seat	Lima
Appointer	Direct popular vote
Term length	Five years, renewable non-consecutively
Inaugural holder	José de San Martín (de facto) José de la Riva Agüero (first to use the title)
Formation	28 February 1823
Succession	Line of succession
Deputy	First Vice President
Salary	Peruvian soles 15,500/US$ 4,155 monthly
Website	www.presidencia.gob.pe

The President of Peru is the country's top leader. They are officially called the Constitutional President of the Republic of Peru. This person is both the head of state (representing the country) and the head of government (leading the government). The president is also in charge of Peru's Armed Forces and National Police of Peru. This makes the president the most important public official in Peru.

The Congress of Peru can remove the president from office. This is because of how the 1993 Constitution is written. It means the president's power is connected to the legislature.

The president's job is to guide the government's policies. They work with the Congress and the Council of Ministers to make changes. They also manage the country and make sure the constitution is followed. The president works from the Palacio de Gobierno in Lima. This building has been used by Peru's leaders for a very long time.

The current president is Dina Boluarte. She became president on December 7, 2022, after Pedro Castillo.

How Long Does a President Serve?

Presidential Terms and Reelection Rules

A president is usually elected for a five-year term. They cannot be reelected right away. A former president can run again after a full term has passed. The new government takes office on July 28. This date is a national holiday because it marks Peru's independence from Spain.

The Congress can end a president's term early. This can happen through a process called impeachment. According to the 1993 Constitution, a president can be removed for several reasons. These include death, a permanent inability to do the job, resigning, leaving the country without Congress's permission, or breaking certain rules in the Constitution.

Some presidents have tried to resign, like Alberto Fujimori and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Several presidents have faced impeachment attempts. Some were successful, like the removal of Martín Vizcarra and Pedro Castillo.

The last directly elected president was Pedro Castillo. He was elected for a term from 2021 to 2026. His Vice President, Dina Boluarte, took over as president. This happened after he was removed from office following an attempt to change the government.

Historically, some leaders became president through a change in power that was not a regular election. The last time this happened was in 1992 with Alberto Fujimori.

Becoming President: The Inauguration

Where and When Does the Inauguration Happen?

Presidential inaugurations take place in the Congress of the Republic of Peru building. This is in the capital city of Lima. Inaugurations always happen on July 28. If a new president takes over unexpectedly, their inauguration happens when they arrive in Lima. After the inauguration, there is a National Parade by the Peruvian Military.

Leaders from other countries often attend these events. They come to see the peaceful transfer of power in Peru.

The Presidential Oath

When a new president takes office, they say an oath. This oath is a promise to faithfully do their job. It also includes promises to defend the country and follow the constitution. The oath also mentions the importance of the Catholic Church in Peru's culture.

Here is the English translation of the oath:

I, [complete name of presidential elect], swear to God, to the Homeland, and to all Peruvians that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the Republic of Peru that has been entrusted to me by the Nation for the period [start of mandate] to [end of mandate], that I will defend the sovereignty of the nation as well as the physical and moral integrity of the Nation, that I will comply and enforce the political constitution and laws of Peru, and that I will recognize, respecting freedoms, the importance of the Roman Catholic Church in the cultural and moral formation of Peruvians.

The head of Congress usually holds the presidential sash before the new president takes the oath. After the oath, the head of Congress gives the sash to the new president. This act shows that the new president is now officially recognized.

Most presidents of Peru have been Catholic. They take the oath with a Christian Bible and in front of a Catholic Crucifix.

The History of Peru's Presidency

Early Leaders Before the Republic

Before Peru became a republic, there were other forms of government. The Inca civilization had a leader called the Sapa Inca. Their system was very different from European governments.

In 1532, Spanish conquerors arrived. They took control and established a Spanish rule. This began with governors, like Francisco Pizarro in Lima.

In 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru was created. The Viceroy of Peru was the representative of the King of Spain. This period lasted for 282 years, until 1824.

The Republic Era Begins

In July 1821, during the Peruvian War of Independence, Peru declared its independence from Spain. The leaders began to write a constitution. The Constituent Congress of Peru created the Constitution of 1823. This constitution defined Peru's borders and created the First Republic of Peru.

The 1823 Constitution set up three branches of government: the executive, judicial, and legislative. The first group of leaders who created these rules were the first example of executive power in Peru.

Later, José de la Riva Agüero was appointed as the first President of the Republic in 1823. The 1823 Constitution officially recognized this position. It stated that the executive power belonged to a citizen called the President of the Republic.

In 1827, Manuel Salazar y Baquíjano became the first president elected by the people. This marked the true beginning of the Presidency of Peru as we know it.

What Does the President Do?

Powers and Duties from the 1823 Constitution

The president is in charge of managing the country. Their power helps keep public order inside Peru and ensures safety from outside threats. This is all done according to the Constitution and laws.

Here are some key duties of the president from the 1823 Constitution:

To make sure laws, decrees, and resolutions from Congress are followed.
To be the supreme commander of the armed forces.
To make sure free and fair elections happen.
To declare war if needed, after Congress approves.
To create and agree to peace treaties and alliances with other countries.
To manage how public money is spent, as decided by Congress.
To appoint military officers with Congress's approval.
To appoint ministers, the Prime Minister, and diplomats with Congress's approval.
To ensure justice is served in the Peruvian court system.
To inform Congress about the country's situation and suggest improvements.

Limits on the President's Power (1823)

The president also has limits on their power:

The president cannot lead the armed forces in person without Congress's permission.
The president cannot leave the country without Congress's permission.
The president cannot do business with members of the Supreme Court.
The president cannot take away a Peruvian's freedom. If someone is arrested for public safety, they must be brought before a judge within 24 hours.
The president cannot impose penalties.
The president cannot stop or delay Congress's meetings.

Powers and Duties from the 1993 Constitution

The current Constitution, from 1993, also outlines the president's roles. The president is the Head of State and the Head of the national Government.

Here are some of their functions:

To follow and enforce the Constitution, treaties, and laws.
To represent Peru both inside and outside the country.
To guide the government's general policy.
To ensure internal order and external security.
To call for elections for president, Congress, and other officials.
To call Congress for special meetings if needed.
To give messages to Congress, especially at the start of each year. These messages explain the country's situation and suggest improvements.
To create rules and decrees to help enforce laws.
To ensure court decisions are followed.
To direct foreign policy and international relations, and to sign treaties.
To appoint ambassadors with the Council of Ministers' approval.
To lead the National Defense System and manage the Armed Forces and National Police.
To take steps to defend the country and its territory.
To declare war and sign peace, with Congress's approval.
To manage public money and negotiate loans.
To issue emergency decrees on economic matters if needed, reporting to Congress.
To grant pardons and reduce sentences.
To give national awards.
To allow Peruvians to serve in a foreign army.
To approve extradition requests, with the Supreme Court's report.
To lead the National Agreement Forum.
To perform other duties given by the Constitution and laws.

The president's actions must be approved by a minister to be valid. The president leads the Council of Ministers when present. They appoint and remove the Prime Minister and other ministers.

Ministers are responsible for their own actions and for the president's actions they approve.

Symbols of the Presidency

The Presidential Sash

Former president Ollanta Humala wearing the presidential sash, plaque and baton

The presidential sash is the most recognizable symbol of the president. It has been used since Peru became a republic. The sash is red and white, like the national colors. It is worn diagonally from the right shoulder to the left hip. The Coat of arms of Peru is embroidered on it.

Giving the presidential sash to the new president shows a peaceful transfer of power. The head of Congress wears the sash until the new president is sworn in.

Grand Necklace of Brilliance

This necklace is a symbol of the highest authority. It is made of gold and has diamonds, with the Peruvian coat of arms in the center. Some presidents, like Oscar R. Benavides Larrea, used this necklace. Its use became less common after the time of Fernando Belaúnde Terry. More recently, Alan García used it in 2008.

The Presidential Plaque

The president also wears a plaque on their left pocket. This plaque is like a military badge. It shows that the president is the Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces. It is gold and shaped like a shining sun.

The Presidential Staff

The staff is a symbol of power, similar to a cane. It was introduced in the Andes in the 1700s. Unlike in some other countries, a staff has not always been a common symbol for Peruvian presidents. Sometimes, military presidents used a saber or sword instead. A few presidents, like Mariano Ignacio Prado and Augusto B. Leguía, used it in photos. More recently, Alejandro Toledo and Alan García have used a staff on special occasions.

Who Can Be President?

Requirements from the 1823 Constitution

The first constitution of Peru, from 1823, listed these requirements to be president:

Must be born in Peru.
Must be a citizen who actively participates in society.
Must be over 35 years old.
Must have property or income, or work in a field that provides income.

Requirements from the 1993 Constitution (Today)

Today, the 1993 Constitution sets the rules for who can be president:

A president must be born in Peru. People who became Peruvian citizens later cannot be president.
They must be over 35 years old when they apply for the job.
They must have full civil rights. This means they cannot have a criminal record or a civil disability that stops them from voting.

Also, certain people cannot run for president if they have not left their current job six months before the election. This includes:

Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State.
Members of the Constitutional Court, Judicial Power, and other important government bodies.
Members of the Armed Forces and National Police who are still active.
The spouse and close relatives of the current president or a president from the year before the election.

A Look at Presidential History

Peru has been independent for over 190 years. During this time, it has had many different types of leaders. These include military leaders, aristocrats, and democratically elected presidents. The history of the presidency has also seen periods of civil unrest and changes in power. Sometimes, more than one person claimed to be president at the same time.

Different titles have been used for the leader, such as "Protector of Peru" by José de San Martín.

List of Presidents of Peru

Facts About Peru's Presidents

Most presidents have been born in Lima. Some presidents have had different backgrounds. For example, Alberto Fujimori had Japanese heritage, and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski had German, Jewish, French, and Polish heritage.

Three presidents have been killed while in office: Felipe Santiago Salaverry, Tomás Gutiérrez, and Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro.

The tallest president recorded was Alan García, who was 1.93 meters tall. The shortest was Alejandro Toledo (2001–2006), who was 1.65 meters tall.

The oldest person to become president was Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016–2018), who was 78 years old.

The president who lived the longest was Francisco Morales Bermúdez (1975–1980), who lived to be 100 years old.

Who Takes Over if the President Can't Serve?

If the President cannot continue their duties, there is a clear order of who takes over. As of 2024, the order is:

President of the Republic: Dina Boluarte
First Vice President: (vacant)
Second Vice President: (vacant)
President of Congress: Eduardo Salhuana
First Vice President of Congress: Patricia Juárez
Second Vice President of Congress: Waldemar Cerrón
Third Vice President of Congress: Alejandro Cavero