Peru's conservative Popular Force party secured control of the newly reinstated Senate on Sunday, positioning President-elect Keiko Fujimori's coalition to shape legislative priorities just one day before her inauguration. Miguel Torres won the Senate presidency with 30 votes out of 60 senators through an alliance with the right-wing Popular Renewal party, whose member Alejandro Muñante claimed the first vice presidency.
The vote marks a significant consolidation of conservative power as Peru reinstates its bicameral system for the first time in more than three decades. Torres, who'll preside over the Senate for one year, is also Peru's second vice president-elect. He was elected alongside Fujimori and first vice president Luis Galarreta in recent elections.
A Promise of Prudence Amid Governance Crisis
During his swearing-in ceremony, Torres said the goal is to have a "more prudent" state and to regain the trust of its citizens. That's a tall order for a nation that's seen eight presidents come and go in the last decade. The new bicameral Congress faces the challenge of overcoming a governance crisis that's left Peruvians cycling through leaders at an alarming rate, with no political force holding a majority.
The leadership of the lower house, composed of 130 deputies, will be elected in the upcoming hours. Peru's Congress will officially begin its annual legislative session on Monday, the same day as Fujimori's presidential inauguration for the 2026-2031 term.
Conservative Coalition Takes Shape
Torres, a lawyer and politician with a legislative career from 2016 to 2020, brings experience to a role that'll test whether Peru's political establishment can deliver stability. The alliance between Popular Force and Popular Renewal signals a rightward shift in Peru's legislative agenda, with both parties advocating for what they call fiscal restraint and reduced state intervention.
The timing isn't coincidental. By securing Senate leadership two days before Fujimori's inauguration, the conservative coalition has positioned itself to move quickly on legislative priorities. But without a clear majority in either chamber, they'll need to negotiate with other factions to pass significant reforms.
What This Matters:
Peru's return to a bicameral system comes at a moment when citizens are desperate for stable governance after a decade of political turmoil. The conservative alliance's control of the Senate presidency raises questions about whose interests will be prioritized as the country confronts persistent inequality and institutional weakness. With no party holding a majority, the new Congress must either forge broad coalitions that represent Peru's diverse population or risk deepening the governance crisis that's eroded public trust. How Torres and the Fujimori administration navigate these divisions will determine whether Peru can break its cycle of political instability or whether working Peruvians will continue bearing the costs of elite political gridlock. The promise of a "more prudent" state means little if it doesn't translate into accountable institutions that serve all citizens, not just those with political connections.