In Peru, the 125% increase in the president's salary divides opinion

This is a measure that has been causing tension in the Peruvian political scene for nearly ten days. On Tuesday, May 6, the Peruvian Ministry of Economy and Finance published a report suggesting an increase in the salary of President Dina Boluarte, from 16,000 to 35,568 Peruvian sols (from approximately 3,870 euros to 8,600 euros), reports the main Peruvian broadcaster, RPP . According to Congress, this increase would “protect the presidential figure.”

Quoted by the media, MP Patricia Juárez (Popular Force) considered that it was entirely logical that the highest salary should go to the President of the Republic.

The ministry justifies this 125% increase by the fact that Dina Boluarte is currently one of the "lowest-paid" executives in South America. This salary increase is therefore intended to align with regional standards.

This same document, carefully studied by the Peruvian press, underlines that this measure, whose final approval will be decided or not by the Council of Ministers, would also amount to complying with the recommendations established by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which specifies that "the salary of public sector workers must correspond to the value of the position they hold", indicates The Republic .

For his part, mentioned by Perú 21 , the defender of rights, Josué Guitérrez, who is responsible for ensuring the fundamental freedoms of individuals in the country, said:

“Personally, I believe that the President of the Republic should receive a higher salary than any other civil servant. […] If the President receives 16,000 sols per month [3,870 euros], then all other salaries should be indexed to this figure.”

While some politicians and experts defend the measure, it has also drawn strong criticism in an already particularly tense social climate.

This is evidenced by the words of lawyer Ricardo Herrea, who, in an interview with Perú 21 , believes that nothing justifies such an increase, “given a mandate [since December 2022] without major political achievements.” He cites the explicit lines of the ministry behind the measure:

“According to the Ministry of Finance regulations, the salary increase must be justified by three reasons, namely professional qualifications, tangible achievements in the exercise of the function which must be proven, as well as the general update of the salary scale.”

In a bitter editorial in the Latin American media Diario Red , journalist Crismar Lujano believes that “the idea of ​​doubling the salary” of such a discredited president – ​​according to a recent Ipsos poll, she only has 3% approval ratings – is nothing more than “provocation” .

She lists the scandals: corruption, crimes against humanity – in reference to the deadly demonstrations of December 2022 –, or even the “chronic institutional crisis” from which the country is suffering.

The main person concerned, for her part, seems to remain unmoved, according to her latest statements, quoted by Infobae . In a “ message to the nation,” Dina Boluarte praised her management of the country, stating that she made “Peru shine like a star in Latin America,” thanks to her “effective governance and her control of inflation.”