MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Split presidential duties in Peru's future

A majority of Peruvians would like to see elected President Alejandro Toledo step aside keeping his head of state duties, but leaving the day to day administration of the country in the hands of the current Cabinet Chief with the support of an independent and consensus cabinet.

The public opinion poll published in Peru's most prestigious daily, "El Comercio", indicates 68% of Lima residents support the proposal and only 19% believe Mr. Toledo should remain ruling the country as head of state and head of government.

The poll was taken February 12/13 and follow months of political uncertainty and plummeting support for Mr. Toledo who is blamed for the ongoing political crisis given his reiterated errors, lack of decision and vision.

Other opinion polls from the Political Science Department of the University of Lima indicate that 39,7% of Peruvians hold Mr. Toledo directly responsible for the political crisis that is rapidly freezing the economy, and only 7% support him.

Last Wednesday in its main editorial, "El Comercio" proposed that given the "exceptional" political conditions the country is undergoing, the head of state and head of government duties of the Peruvian presidency should be split, avoiding a major constitutional crisis since presidential elections can't be advanced and Mr. Toledo has proven incapable of mustering Congressional support.

Head of government responsibilities would fall upon the current Cabinet Chief, in this case Mr. Carlos Ferrero, with a "consensus cabinet of independent professionals", an idea that apparently is backed by the main Peruvian political grouping, business and political analysts.

Mr. Toledo is working overtime this week end hoping he can come up with a renewed "consensus and professional" cabinet that would enable him to continue as the country's "full" president.