Seeking Constitutional Reform in Peru

October 26,2021

The current Peruvian Constitution was approved through a referendum by a narrow margin in 1993. For many, its original sin was its drafting by the regime of former President Alberto Fujimori. Notwithstanding, this thirteenth constitution has paved the way for the economic stability that the country has largely enjoyed since, whether or not some have begun to question the Peruvian “economic model” itself.

With the triumph of Pedro Castillo and his political party Peru Libre, the idea of a new Constitution has appeared strongly, as in the Chilean case. The problem, however, is that the Constitution itself, which indicates the path for a total or partial reform, does not contemplate the option of a Constituent Assembly. This path would only be possible through a broad political agreement, which currently does not exist.

At present, Peru Libre holds only 37 of 130 seats, while most parliamentary groups have spoken out against it. Given this, the ruling party has started a campaign to collect two and a half million signatures to force a referendum. The possibility of success is low due not only to the extremely high number of signatures required, but also because there are currents within Peru Libre itself that have expressed a position contrary to the constitutional project.