MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Peruvian president on the tight rope.

Fist line opposition leaders, members of Congress and even presidents of the 25 regional councils of Peru are demanding elections be advanced since there's a general feeling that President Alejandro Toledo's administration is rapidly nearing its end.

"People feel it this way, and this can become very dangerous", said Jehude Simon an outstanding regional leader, adding that "there are groups of civilians and military officers very concerned with the worsening political situation and we don't want them involved in any kind of adventure".

Former president Alan García and Lourdes Flores Nano, the two main opposition leaders warned that if "President Toledo does not change his political style he could face growing social tension and popular outbursts in the streets that could force him out of office". "If Mr. Toledo does not change, governance will become more and more difficult", said Mr. García, adding that "union and popular protest outbreaks are spreading" in the interior of the country where Mr. Toledo's capability to rule is increasingly questioned.

"We demand an immediate debate now, with the participation of all political parties", said opposition leader Jose Barba Caballero. "It's a popular demand and it's a way of telling President Toledo he has no right to destroy democracy, and if he doesn't change we'll have to change him", emphasized Mr. Barba Caballero.

Public opinion polls indicate Mr. Toledo support has plummeted to 7% and the disapproval of his administration has ballooned to 90%. Mr. Toledo will have completed the third of his five year term next July 28.

Last week Mr. Toledo was forced to a new cabinet reshuffle following the sacking of the former Home Secretary who was unable to prevent or anticipate the lynching of a local Council president by a furious mob of Aymara Indians in the Andes highlands who accused him of corruption. Police forces were outnumbered and unable to protect the deceased and some policemen even joined the crowd.

Since then several Andean Councillors have resigned fearing popular revolt and President Toledo was further criticized for naming a close friend as the new Home Secretary when the political spectrum was expecting a national, non partisan figure to help calm the fragile political situation.