Keiko Fujimori names key ministers ahead of Peru presidency inauguration

Lima, Peru – President-elect Keiko Fujimori has unveiled the first key members of her incoming government, naming ministers for the crucial portfolios of the Prime Minister's Office, Economy and Finance, and Foreign Affairs just one day before her formal inauguration. Fujimori, leader of Fuerza Popular, is set to take office on Tuesday, July 28, succeeding interim President José María Balcázar and beginning a term projected to last until 2031.

Her administration faces immediate challenges, including tackling citizen insecurity, addressing the impacts of the El Niño climate phenomenon, and restoring political stability after a decade marked by frequent presidential turnover. To lead the cabinet, Fujimori has appointed her vice president-elect and close ally, Luis Galarreta. Galarreta, a 55-year-old former parliamentarian with a background in Christian democracy and a convert to Fujimorism since 2016, is tasked with forming a cohesive, responsive team focused on measurable results.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance will be led by economist Elmer Cuba, a former director of the Central Reserve Bank. Upon assuming his role, Cuba stated his priorities will include combating tax evasion, boosting productivity, creating jobs, and strengthening social cohesion. Carlos Espá, a former television journalist and presidential candidate, has been appointed as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Fujimori indicated that the remaining ministerial appointments, filling out the 19-ministry structure, would be announced on Tuesday following the official investiture ceremonies. The transition marks a significant shift in Peruvian leadership, with the new government expected to implement its proposed policies to address the nation's pressing issues.