Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has conducted a significant Cabinet reshuffle, appointing new ministers to replace six who resigned amid a political crisis stemming from an alleged scandal involving luxry watches.
The shakeup comes as Boluarte faces a request for her removal from office due to "permanent moral incapacity," submitted to Parliament by lawmakers from various parties.
The request is supported by five parties with a total of 54 votes, but 87 votes are needed from the 130-seat Parliament for her removal.
Boluarte is under investigation for allegedly acquiring a collection of luxury watches without disclosure, starting from her time as vice president and social inclusion minister in July 2021, and continuing after assuming the presidency in December 2022.
The investigation, which began in mid-March after Boluarte was seen wearing a Rolex watch on TV, has led to heightened scrutiny of her financial disclosures.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Boluarte's presidency has been marred by controversy, culminating in a police raid on her residence—the first such action against a sitting president in Peru's history.
The recent resignations of three key Cabinet members—interior, education, and women's ministers—were followed by the departure of the agriculture, production, and foreign trade ministers.
Boluarte has appointed new ministers to fill these vacancies, including Walter Ortiz as interior minister, Elizabeth Caldo as foreign trade minister, and Morgan Quero as education minister.
Boluarte, a former lawyer and modest district official, assumed the presidency after the dismissal of former President Pedro Castillo. Castillo is currently in prison, facing corruption and rebellion charges. Boluarte has vowed to continue her presidency despite the ongoing challenges to her leadership.