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Last Updated: Oct 15, 2008 - 12:18:07 PM |
The biggest change is the choice of Yehude Simon, a leftist regional
governor from outside the ruling party, as prime minister.
Most of the other 16 posts have gone to members of the previous cabinet.
Analysts say the choice of Mr Simon is an attempt by President Garcia
to boost his own popularity after the scandal.
The governor of Lambayeque province replaces outgoing Jorge del
Castillo, who stepped down along with the rest of the cabinet after
audio tapes leaked to the media implicated members of the governing
Apra party in bribe-taking for rigging multi-million dollar oil
contracts.
Mr del Castillo, whose name was mentioned in two of the tapes, denied
any wrongdoing but his position had become untenable after protests
from the opposition and general public.
President Garcia ordered an investigation into the allegations and
insisted the government must be purged of corruption.
'Balanced cabinet'
Mr Simon said the new government was a "balanced cabinet representing
[both] the business sector... and social movements".
The choice of Mr Simon, who served time in jail for alleged links to
left-wing rebels, shocked many.
But as a popular regional governor, he has a reputation for
transparency and for improving healthcare and education standards.
Critics say booming economic growth has failed to ease poverty for
millions of Peruvians, while polls say corruption is the public's top
complaint.
Midway through his term as president, Mr Garcia's popularity is at its
lowest level since he took office, especially outside the capital Lima.
Source:Ocnus.net 2008
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