The Congress in focus: counter-reforms that challenge Peruvian democracy.

Since taking office in July 2021, the current Congress of the Republic has been the stage for a series of counter-reforms that have significantly impacted various sectors of Peruvian society. According to an analysis conducted by El Comercio's Data Journalism Unit, 14 laws have been identified that have modified the rules of the game in areas such as education, the economy, political institutionalism, and the environment, with potential medium and long-term effects. Among the main counter-reforms promoted by Congress are those related to the education sector. The approval of norms such as the one proposing the entry of interim teachers into the public teaching career, which affects the meritocratic system in the teaching profession, as well as modifications to the National Superintendence of University Supervision (Sunedu) and the participation of parents in the development of educational texts, have raised concerns in the educational field. In the economic sphere, counter-reforms have also made their mark, especially in the capitalization of the pension system. The approval of extraordinary withdrawals from AFPs has generated uncertainty, with projections indicating a possible outflow of millions of soles and the affecting the savings of thousands of affiliates. In addition, institutional reforms such as the return to bicameralism and modifications to the Open, Simultaneous, and Obligatory Primaries (PASO), effective collaboration, and deadlines for sanctioning candidates for lack of transparency in their campaign expenses, have been controversial due to their potential negative impacts on the political system and the separation of powers. Political scientist and analyst Alejandro Boyco highlights that these counter-reforms have allowed Congress to expand its power and influence over other political actors, limiting control over its actions. He warns that the possibility of returning to a balanced system in the future could be complicated, as these measures could have lasting effects on the country's political structure. Following the impeachment of former President Pedro Castillo, Congress has focused its efforts on politically surviving until the end of its term, leading to a fragmented Legislature seeking agreements among its factions to remain in power. This has meant relegating ideological proposals and government plans to a secondary role, with the sole objective of ensuring continuity in office and, in some cases, seeking reelection in the future. In this context, Peruvian society faces a complex political scenario, with legislative decisions that could have significant repercussions in the country in the long term. The ability to recover lost reforms, restore the balance of power between institutions, and ensure transparency and accountability becomes a crucial challenge for the country's future. Citizens must be vigilant and actively participate in public debate to ensure that democratic principles are respected and the common welfare is promoted in this period of political transformation.