(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public support for Peruvian president Alan García has fallen considerably this year, according to a poll by CPI. Only 15 per cent of respondents approve of García’s performance, down 17.2 points since May.

In June 2006, García—a member of the American Revolutionary People’s Alliance (APRA)—won Peru’s presidential election in a run-off against nationalist Ollanta Humala of the Union for Peru (UP). In July, García officially took over as president. He had previously served as Peru’s head of state from 1985 to 1990, when he oversaw a major economic crisis.

On Oct. 10, García accepted the resignation of his entire cabinet following allegations of corruption. The problems originated after the release of audio tapes where oil company executive Alberto Químper and APRA member Rómulo León apparently discuss a kickback they are going to receive if certain oil concessions are awarded to Norwegian firm Discover Petroleum International.

Outgoing Peruvian prime minister Jorge del Castillo explained the rationale, saying, "The president took the decision of accepting our joint resignation and he will form a new council of ministers."

Yesterday, leftist politician and Lambayeque Region president Yehude Simón confirmed that he will take over as Peru’s new prime minister, saying, "An answer has been given to the president and a huge personal challenge is to begin in a very complex situation in the country, but everyone has to have faith so that things turn out well."

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of Alan García’s performance as president?

Source: CPI
Methodology: Interviews with 1,550 Peruvian adults, conducted from Oct. 2 to Oct. 7, 2008. Margin of error is 2.9 per cent.

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