{{Short description|Peruvian politician (born 1967)}} {{family name hatnote|Alva|Prieto|lang=Spanish}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Maricarmen Alva | image = Maricarmen Alva 2025.jpg | caption = Alva in 2025 | birth_name = María del Carmen Alva Prieto | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|2|24|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Lima]], Peru | alma_mater = [[University of Lima]]<br>[[University of San Martín de Porres]] | occupation = Lawyer, politician | party = [[Popular Action (Peru)|Popular Action]] | office3 = [[Congress of the Republic of Peru|Member of Congress]] | term_start3 = 27 July 2021 | term_end3 = | constituency3 = [[Lima]] | office2 = [[President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru|President of Congress]] | term_start2 = 27 July 2021 | term_end2 = 26 July 2022 | predecessor2 = [[Mirtha Vásquez]] ([[ad interim|a.i.]]) | successor2 = [[Lady Camones]] | vice_president2 = <small>'''1st Vice President'''</small><br />[[Lady Camones]]<br><small>'''2nd Vice President'''</small><br />[[Enrique Wong]]<br><small>'''3rd Vice President'''</small><br />[[Patricia Chirinos]] | honorific_suffix = [[Order of the Sun of Peru|OSP]] }}
'''María del Carmen Alva Prieto''' (born 24 February 1967) is a Peruvian lawyer and politician who served as the [[President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru|president]] of the [[Congress of the Republic of Peru]] from 26 July 2021 until 26 July 2022, and a member of the Congress representing [[Lima]]. She is a member of [[Popular Action (Peru)|Popular Action]].<ref name="EP">{{Cite web|url=https://elperuano.pe/noticia/125422-gano-la-lista-2-maria-del-carmen-alva-es-la-nueva-presidenta-del-congreso-para-el-periodo-2021-2022 |title=¡Ganó la lista 2! María del Carmen Alva es la nueva presidenta del Congreso para el periodo 2021-2022 |website=El Peruano |date=26 August 2021 |access-date=27 August 2021 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso/maricarmen-alva-los-datos-que-no-conoces-sobre-la-presidenta-del-congreso-de-la-republica-y-sus-vicepresidentes-en-la-mesa-directiva-accion-popular-lady-camones-alianza-para-el-progreso-enrique-wong-podemos-patricia-chirinos-avanza-pais-ec-data-aptz-noticia/ |title=María del Carmen Alva: los datos que no conoces sobre la presidenta del Congreso de la República y sus vicepresidentes en la mesa directiva |website=El Comercio |date=26 August 2021 |access-date=27 August 2021 |language=es |url-access=subscription |last1=Hidalgo Bustamante |first1=Martin }}</ref>
== Early life == Alva was born in Lima on 24 February 1967 and is a daughter {{ill|Miguel Alva Orlandini|es}}, brother of a former congressman and historic leader of the Popular Action [[Javier Alva Orlandini]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lpderecho.pe/maria-carmen-alva-presidenta-congreso/ |title=¿Quién es María del Carmen Alva, la flamante presidenta del Congreso? |website=lpderecho.pe |date=26 July 2021 |access-date=29 September 2021 |language=es}}</ref> Her grandfather, José Felipe Alva y Alva was senator for [[Cajamarca]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www4.congreso.gob.pe/museo/presidentes/289.Alva%20Orlandini.pdf |title=Javier Alva Orlandini |website=congreso.gob.pe |date=21 October 2017 |access-date=29 September 2021 |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021005116/http://www4.congreso.gob.pe/museo/presidentes/289.Alva%20Orlandini.pdf |archive-date=21 October 2017}}</ref>
She studied law at the [[University of Lima]] where she graduated as a lawyer.<ref name="Ca">{{Cite web |url=https://caretas.pe/politica/quien-es-maria-del-carmen-alva-la-nueva-presidenta-del-congreso/ |title=¿Quién es María del Carmen Alva, la nueva presidenta del Congreso? |website=Caretas |date=26 July 2021 |access-date=29 September 2021 |language=es |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729192540/https://caretas.pe/politica/quien-es-maria-del-carmen-alva-la-nueva-presidenta-del-congreso/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She obtained a master's degree in Public Management at the Government Institute of the [[University of San Martín de Porres]].
== Career == She was a parliamentary coordinator and lawyer of the Legal Management of the Social Security Normalization Office. Additionally, she was a legal advisor at the [[Ministry of Labour and Promotion of Employment (Peru)|Ministry of Labour and Promotion of Employment]].<ref name="Ca" />
For the [[2006 Peruvian general election|2006 general elections]], she was a member of the Government Plan Commission on public management issues for the presidential candidacy of [[Valentín Paniagua]]. In those elections, Alva began her political career running for the Congress of the Republic for the Frente de Centro. However, she was not elected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://infogob.jne.gob.pe/Eleccion/FichaEleccion/elecciones-generales-2006-congresal_candidatos-y-resultados_uTVTOJ5yMgE=VJ |title=Infogob - Candidato al Congreso en 2006 |website=infogob.jne.gob.pe |access-date=29 September 2021 |language=es}}</ref>
In the [[2010 Lima municipal election]]s, she was elected councilor of [[Santa María del Mar District (Peru)|Santa María del Mar]] for [[Popular Action (Peru)|Popular Action]]. And also deputy mayor, during the administration of Viviana Roda Scheuch, for the municipal period 2010-2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://infogob.jne.gob.pe/Eleccion/FichaEleccion/elecciones-regionales-y-municipales-2010-municipal-distrital_candidatos-y-resultados_n1a+XFJyzxo=aF |title=Elecciones Regionales y Municipales del 2010 - Santa María del Mar |website=infogob.jne.gob.pe |access-date=29 September 2021 |language=es}}</ref> In the [[2020 Peruvian parliamentary election|2020 parliamentary elections]], she tried again to run for Congress for Popular Action, but was not elected again.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://infogob.jne.gob.pe/Eleccion/FichaEleccion/elecciones-congresales-extraordinarias-2020-congresal_candidatos-y-resultados_68l@lsrSIc0=ls |title=Candidatos al Congreso en 2020 - Infogob |website=infogob.jne.gob.pe |access-date=29 September 2021 |language=es}}</ref>
=== Congress of Peru ===
==== President of Congress ==== In the [[2021 Peruvian general election|2021 general elections]], Alva was elected congresswoman of the republic for Acción Popular, with 25,219 votes, for the 2021-2026 parliamentary term.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/elecciones-2021/congreso-2021-2026-en-vivo-jne-entrega-este-miercoles-credenciales-a-los-130-nuevos-legisladores-en-directo-online-congresistas-congreso-de-la-republica-peru-noticia/ |title=Congreso 2021-2026: JNE entregó las credenciales a los 130 nuevos legisladores |website=El Comercio |location=Lima |date=9 June 2021 |access-date=29 September 2021 |language=es}}</ref> On July 26, 2021, Alva was elected [[President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru|president of the Congress of the Republic]] for the 2021-2022 legislative period.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://panamericana.pe/politica/congreso/328183-lista-liderada-maricarmen-alva-elegida-dirigir-mesa-directiva |title=Lista liderada por Maricarmen Alva fue elegida para dirigir la mesa directiva |work=Panamericana Televisión |date=26 July 2021 |access-date=29 September 2021 |language=es}}</ref> As a congresswoman, she defended bills perceived as unfavourable to workers, including the extension of the workday, provisions facilitating layoffs, or the rejection of social security projects.<ref name=":3" /> She fought against President [[Pedro Castillo]], seeking his [[impeachment]]<ref name=":3">{{citation | title=Perú: un cuarto gabinete busca aplacar a la derecha | url=https://www.alainet.org/es/articulo/214900 | language=es-es | access-date=2026-02-19 | page=}}</ref> and received a constitutional complaint by [[Ministry of Labour and Promotion of Employment|Minister of Labor]] [[Betssy Chávez]], who accused her of leading a criminal organization engaged in alleged attempts to overthrow his government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M |first=Pamela Zárate |date=2022-02-16 |title=Maria del Carmen Alva fue denunciada {{!}} Al Vuelo |url=https://elbuho.pe/2022/02/maria-del-carmen-alva-fue-denunciada-por-conspiracion-al-vuelo/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[El Búho]] |language=es}}</ref> ''[[El Búho]]'' wrote "her expressions and behavior have often been considered racist, petulant and even violent" and noted that Alva stated that every member of congress should "get preferential treatment."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Valencia |first=Martha |date=2023-06-14 |title=¿Por qué fue condecorada María del Carmen Alva con la medalla en el grado de Gran Cruz? |url=https://elbuho.pe/2023/06/por-que-sera-condecorada-maria-del-carmen-alva-con-la-medalla-en-el-grado-de-gran-cruz/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[El Búho]] |language=es}}</ref>
During her tenure, Congress faced corruption investigations for purchasing 350 new computers at twice their market value, costing millions of [[Peruvian sol|soles]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Valencia |first=Martha |date=2022-08-24 |title=Fiscalía investiga compra de computadoras en gestión de María del Carmen Alva |url=https://elbuho.pe/2022/08/fiscalia-investiga-compra-de-computadoras-en-gestion-de-maria-del-carmen-alva/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[El Búho]] |language=es}}</ref> Alva said that her office was not involved with the purchase of the computers.<ref name=":5" />
==== Post-presidency ==== [[File:PRODUCE- El Comité de Pesca de la OCDE evaluará formalmente al Perú en noviembre próximo 2.jpg|thumb|Alva in 2025]] Alva verbally and physically attacked Congresswoman [[Isabel Cortez]] of [[Together for Peru]] during a session in parliament on 11 August 2022.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-11 |title=María del Carmen Alva jaloneó a Isabel Cortez durante incidentes en el Congreso |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/congreso/maria-del-carmen-alva-jaloneo-a-isabel-cortez-durante-incidentes-en-el-congreso-noticia-1423989 |website=RPP |language=es}}</ref> Cortez, a former city cleaner of indigenous descent, had moved from her seat during a discussion among some parliamentarians following statements made by Norma Yarrow of the far-right Renovación Popular party (an ally of Alva's party, Acción Popular) accusing the Castillo government of "selling itself for a plate of lentils", which caused an outcry and uproar among parliamentarians. Cortez approached the seat where Alva's colleague Wilson Soto was sitting, with several congressmen also around him.<ref name=":1" /> When she came face to face with Alva, after a dialogue, the latter violently pulled and squeezed Cortez's arm and threatened her. They were gently separated from each other by the timely intervention of Congressman [[Ernesto Bustamante]], who had crossed to their side of the parliament floor to prevent further interaction. After receiving strong condemnation for the incident, Alva had to apologise for her "inappropriate reaction", while the Cambio Democrático (Juntos por el Perú) party called for her to be sanctioned.<ref name=":1" /> On the same day, it was also revealed that Alva had racistly insulted Congressman [[Ilich López]] by calling him a "fucking Indian".<ref name=":4" /> The insult was due to Alva's failure to be elected President of Foreign Relations.<ref name=":4" /> In addition, López stated that Alva "[said] that he was going to destroy us and our families, that we were going to shed tears of blood", in reference to a group of parliamentarians from the Popular Action party who were meeting secretly with President Castillo.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-11 |title=Congresista Darwin Espinoza: "María del Carmen Alva llamó 'indio de m...' a Ilich López y amenazó con destruir a 'Los Niños' y a sus familias" |url=https://caretas.pe/politica/congresista-darwin-espinoza-maria-del-carmen-alva-llamo-indio-de-m-a-ilich-lopez-y-amenazo-con-destruir-a-los-ninos-y-a-sus-familias/ |access-date= |website=Caretas |language=es |archive-date=2023-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228090944/https://caretas.pe/politica/congresista-darwin-espinoza-maria-del-carmen-alva-llamo-indio-de-m-a-ilich-lopez-y-amenazo-con-destruir-a-los-ninos-y-a-sus-familias/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> López also revealed that Alva was very upset at the meeting that took place for the vote, banging on the door of the room and swearing.<ref name=":2" />
Following the [[Third impeachment of Pedro Castillo|removal of Pedro Castillo]] from the presidency, Alva defended his successor [[Dina Boluarte]] following her crackdown on [[Peruvian protests (2022–2023)|widespread protests]], saying in March 2023 that groups were attempting to impede Boluarte from her functions and criticized those who sought Boluarte's removal from office through [[vacancy due to moral incapacity]], stating "massacres do not warrant a vacancy."<ref>{{Cite web |last=M |first=Pamela Zárate |date=2023-03-28 |title=María del Carmen Alva asegura que moción de vacancia es porque no quieren que el Ejecutivo trabaje {{!}} VIDEO |url=https://elbuho.pe/2023/03/maria-del-carmen-alva-asegura-que-mocion-de-vacancia-es-porque-no-quieren-que-el-ejecutivo-trabajevideo/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[El Búho]] |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=en |first=Seguir |date=2023-03-27 |title=María del Carmen Alva: “Las 'matanzas' no ameritan una vacancia” |url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2023/03/27/maria-del-carmen-alva-las-matanzas-no-ameritan-una-vacancia/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[Infobae]] |language=es-ES}}</ref> [[Infobae]] noted that Alva's comment occurred after over a dozen people were killed in a single day in the [[Juliaca massacre]].<ref name=":6" /> Alva later defended her statement that "massacres do not warrant a vacancy",<ref>{{Cite web |last=M |first=Pamela Zárate |date=2023-04-03 |title=María del Carmen Alva segura que Estados Unidos apoya gobierno de Dina Boluarte (VIDEO) |url=https://elbuho.pe/2023/04/maria-del-carmen-alva-segura-que-estados-unidos-apoya-gobierno-de-dina-boluarte-video/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[El Búho]] |language=es}}</ref> criticized the [[Inter-American Commission on Human Rights]] report on violence against protesters and said that the report was untruthful, defending the response by authorities while saying demonstrators were engaged in "terrorist acts."<ref>{{Cite web |last=M |first=Pamela Zárate |date=2023-05-04 |title=Dina Boluarte se defiende de informe de CIDH {{!}} Al Vuelo |url=https://elbuho.pe/2023/05/dina-boluarte-se-defiende-de-informe-de-cidh-al-vuelo/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[El Búho]] |language=es}}</ref>
On 9 June 2023, Alva again was involved in an altercation in which she was seen physically shaking Congresswoman Francis Paredes, from the Podemos Perú group and representative for Ucayali, in order to change her vote in favor of the return to bicameralism in the Congress of the Republic.<ref name=":4" />
Alva was awarded the Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Sun of Peru]] by congress on 14 June 2023.<ref name=":4" /> A portrait of Alva painted by César Yaury Huanay was also commissioned at a cost of 9,000 soles.<ref name=":4" />
In July 2023, audio leaked of Popular Action congressman Jorge Luis Flores Ancachi stating that he demanded his staff to provided 10% of their regular pay and 50% of their bonus pay to him, saying that this was known by Alva and that she allegedly said that congressional staff were "ungrateful."<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=en |first=Por Camila CalderónSeguir |date=2023-07-18 |title=María del Carmen Alva pide la expulsión de Jorge Luis Flores Ancachi: “Devela mal uso del poder público” |url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2023/07/18/maria-del-carmen-alva-pide-la-expulsion-de-jorge-luis-flores-ancachi-devela-mal-uso-del-poder-publico/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[Infobae]] |language=es-ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Candia |first=Miguel Ángel |date=2023-07-10 |title=María del Carmen Alva denunciará a Flores Ancachi ante Ética por involucrarla en recorte de sueldos |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/congreso/2023/07/10/maria-del-carmen-alva-denunciara-a-jorge-flores-ancachi-ante-la-comision-de-etica-por-involucrarla-en-recorte-de-sueldos-congreso-accion-popular-618460 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[La República|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=2023-07-17 |title=María del Carmen Alva pide la expulsión de Jorge Flores Ancachi de la bancada de Acción Popular |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso/maria-del-carmen-alva-pide-la-expulsion-de-jorge-flores-ancachi-de-la-bancada-de-accion-popular-por-caso-de-recorte-de-sueldos-a-trabajadores-congreso-de-la-republica-parlamento-ultimas-noticia/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |work=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]] |language=es-PE |issn=1605-3052}}</ref> Following the leak, Alva called for the removal of Flores from his position, saying "the aforementioned congressman spoke about me, defaming me and accusing me of having insinuated that he appropriates salaries."<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> Flores maintained his position in congress, leaving Popular Action to join [[Podemos Perú]] and later joining [[César Acuña]]'s [[Alliance for Progress (Peru)|Alliance for Progress]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mandujano |first=Edgar |date=2025-07-11 |title=Jorge Flores Ancachi se une a Alianza para el Progreso |url=https://caretas.pe/home_web/home_principal_secundario/jorge-flores-ancachi-se-une-a-alianza-para-el-progreso/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=Caretas |language=es}}</ref>
On 18 February 2026, following the [[Censure of José Jerí|censure and removal]] of President [[José Jerí]], Maricarmen was nominated by [[Popular Action (Peru)|Popular Action]] for President of Congress and for the [[President of Peru|presidency of Peru]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prensa-latina.cu/2026/02/18/parlamento-elige-hoy-nuevo-presidente-de-peru-entre-cuatro-candidatos/|title=Parlamento elige hoy nuevo presidente de Perú entre cuatro candidatos|publisher=Presanta|accessdate=18 February 2026|date=18 February 2026}}</ref> receiving support from [[Fujimorist]]s of [[Popular Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valverde |first=Rodrigo Saldarriaga |date=2026-02-18 |title=Fuerza Popular: Respaldará candidatura de Maricarmen Alva |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/fuerza-popular-respaldara-candidatura-maricarmen-alva-n490421 |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=América TV |language=es}}</ref> However in the final ballot, she lost to [[José María Balcázar]] of [[Free Peru]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-congress-elects-jose-balcazar-new-interim-president-2026-02-19/|title= Peru installs Jose Balcazar as interim president after Jeri ousted in political upheaval|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=18 February 2026|date=18 February 2026}}</ref>
== Political positions == Alva has been described as holding [[right wing]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vega |first=Renzo Gómez |date=2026-02-18 |title=El izquierdista José María Balcázar, elegido por el Congreso nuevo presidente de Perú |url=https://elpais.com/america/2026-02-18/el-congreso-de-peru-elige-nuevo-presidente.html |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[El País]] |language=es |quote=Maricarmen Alva (Popular Action), Héctor Acuña (Honor and Democracy), Edgar Reymundo (Democratic Block), and José María Balcazar (Free Peru). From a representative of the right, a pragmatic and two aspirants of the left would come the replacement of Jerí.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=en |first=Por Analí EspinozaSeguir |date=2026-02-20 |title=“La traicionaron”: compañeros de bancada de María del Carmen Alva no votaron por ella, revela Ernesto Bustamante |url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/02/20/la-traicionaron-companeros-de-bancada-de-maria-del-carmen-alva-no-votaron-por-ella-revela-ernesto-bustamante/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[Infobae]] |language=es-ES |quote=María del Carmen Alva, was considered the main card of the right}}</ref> to [[far-right]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tovar |first=Gonzalo Ruiz |date=2022-02-15 |title=Perú: qué planea la oposición de derecha para sacar del poder a Castillo, pero sin tocar al Congreso |url=https://www.clarin.com/mundo/peru-planes-oposicion-derecha-sacar-poder-castillo-tocar-congreso_0_zmjVQfv26U.html |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|Clarín]] |language=es |quote=Alva, ... who although she belongs to AP has ideas that make her close to the radical right}}</ref> political positions. Internationally, she has participated in [[Madrid Forum]] events hosted by the far-right Spanish political party [[Vox (political party)|Vox]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=M |first=Pamela Zárate |date=2023-04-01 |title=Foro Madrid Lima: las intervenciones de los congresistas peruanos que sienten orgullo por Vox (VIDEO) |url=https://elbuho.pe/2023/04/foro-madrid-lima-las-intervenciones-de-los-congresistas-peruanos-que-sienten-orgullo-por-vox-video/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[El Búho]] |language=es}}</ref>
== Personal life == Alva is married and has three sons.<ref name="EP" /> She lives with her family in the affluent [[La Molina District]] towards the outskirts of [[Lima]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valencia |first=Martha |date=2022-03-10 |title="No me van a amedrentar": Alva durante incidente en Congreso por protesta frente a su casa |url=https://elbuho.pe/2022/03/no-me-van-a-amedrentar-dice-alva-por-protesta-frente-a-su-casa-y-genera-incidente-en-congreso/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=[[El Búho]] |language=es}}</ref>
== Honours == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Awards and orders !Country !Date !Notes |- |[[File:PER_Order_of_the_Sun_of_Peru_-_Grand_Cross_BAR.png|frameless|70x70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Sun of Peru]] |{{flag|Peru}} |14 June 2023 |<ref name=":4" /> |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Cite web|url=https://maricarmenalva.com/ |title=Maricarmen Alva {{!}} Acción Popular |publisher=Website of Maricarmen Alva |language=es}}
{{Peruvian Congress 2021-2026}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alva, Maricarmen}} [[Category:1967 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Alva family]] [[Category:Politicians from Lima]] [[Category:University of Lima alumni]] [[Category:Popular Action (Peru) politicians]] [[Category:Presidents of the Congress of the Republic of Peru]] [[Category:Peruvian anti-communists]] [[Category:Peruvian people of Italian descent]] [[Category:Peruvian people of Spanish descent]] [[Category:Peruvian people of Basque descent]] [[Category:Peruvian people of English descent]] [[Category:Peruvian people of Mestizo descent]] [[Category:Peruvian people of Portuguese descent]] [[Category:21st-century Peruvian politicians]] [[Category:21st-century Peruvian women politicians]] [[Category:Women members of the Congress of the Republic of Peru]] [[Category:Members of the Congress of the Republic of Peru]]