Peru: Unions Protest Economic Policies of President Alejandro Toledo

After nine months in office, Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo is facing growing opposition to his economic policies. Although dismissed by the government as a "bust," a general strike on May 14 underlined public frustration with Toledo's inability to satisfy the hopes of those who voted for him.

In a televised address on May 12, Toledo called for patience. "I am convinced that the majority of Peruvians don't want strikes or blocked roads. They want peace and jobs. Let me get to work, for God's sake," he said. "Our commitment was to work to resolve the country's problems in five years, not nine months."

Critics say that Toledo, a 56-year-old former business professor who had never held elected office before taking power last July, has done little to fulfill his campaign promises of creating jobs and returning prosperity. He has failed to convince many Peruvians that his government is steering the country out of the political and economic crisis (see NotiSur-2001-11-09).

Giovanna Penaflor, director of the Imasen polling firm, said Toledo's efforts to bring the economy back to life after four years of stagnation are seen as wavering and indecisive. "There is a growing sense of remoteness on the part of the people with respect to the authorities," she said. "There is also a sensation of a lack of leadership, a lack of a defined direction in the management of …

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Publication information: Article title: Peru: Unions Protest Economic Policies of President Alejandro Toledo. Contributors: Not available. Magazine title: NotiSur - South American Political and Economic Affairs. Publication date: May 17, 2002. Page number: Not available. © 2009 Latin American Data Base/Latin American Institute. COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group.

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