Lima (Peru), June 29: President Alejandro Toledo swore in Peru's first female prime minister in a bid to confront increasing criticism of his government and deeply eroding popularity. Lawyer Beatriz Merino comes to the prime minister's job yesterday after heading up the national Sunat tax agency. She replaces Luis Solari. Peruvian ministers traditionally offer their resignations twice a year - before Christmas and the July 28th independence day holiday. Against a backdrop of rising discontent, Toledo opted to shuffle his 16-member cabinet and appointed six new ministers. Recent polls show Toledo's support at 11 per cent, down from nearly 60 per cent when he took office in July 2001. After swearing in his new ministers, Toledo reiterated that the "breaking point has arrived", adding that the new cabinet marked significant changes.

In several cases, the new ministers will head up sectors that have spearheaded massive protests and strikes in recent months.

Carlos Malpica will replace Gerardo Ayzanoa as education minister and Francisco Gonzales will replace Alvaro Quijandria as agriculture minister.

Toledo declared a 30-day state of emergency on May 27 and sent the military to restore order in half of the nation's 24 departments in order to curb protests on the part of teachers and farmers. The government partially lifted the emergency measure last thursday.

Jesus Alvarado, current vice president of Congress, will replace Fernando Villaran as labour minister.

Bureau Report