Claudia Cisneros on the scene of Paniagua's swearing in as President

CNN Correspondent Claudia Cisneros is in Lima, Peru, following developments in the nation's politics, and Wednesday's swearing in of Valentin Paniagua as president.

Q: Can Paniagua deliver on his promises made during his inauguration to make honesty and impartiality hallmarks of his administration?

CISNEROS: He's considered a moderate opposition politician, with a long career in politics ... He's a very respected constitutional lawyer.

He is expected to draw a consensus. He is pretty much a respected moderate and honest person.

ALSO Peru's new president vows honesty, impartiality in administration

Q: Is Paniagua, who heads a caretaker government, seen as a lame duck president?

CISNEROS: He is very experienced in politics. He has been a justice minister and education minister. In his inaugural speech, he seemed to have his goals clear for the eight-month term.

A lot of people trust him and think he can (bring about change.) That may be one of the reasons that he was backed by all the opposition parties. ... He was probably considered the right person to assume the responsibility, because of the virtues they perceive in him.

Q: What is the mood on the street? What do Peruvians think of the change in leadership?

CISNEROS: The spontaneous crowd that gathered today when President Paniagua entered the presidential palace was a surprise. It was not expected.

People feel this could mean change, a fresh start for democracy, an opportunity to regain trust in government and truth and justice, and social and economic stability.

(When Alberto Fujimori resigned,) people took to the streets in several cities ... celebrating. Then it had been quiet, waiting for things to develop.

There's more people smiling today than there have been in past weeks. Relief could be a feeling that is sensed among the people.

Q: Are people rallying around Alejandro Toledo, who ran against Fujimori in the last vote, ahead of presidential elections planned for April?

CISNEROS: The probable candidates have been in a low-profile mode waiting for things to develop ... He and others haven't been campaigning at all. We're most likely going to start seeing that in the next few days.

Q: What is likely to happen to Fujimori? Is he expected to be investigated for corruption and tried despite being out of Peru?

CISNEROS: That is a possibility, as long as legal evidence is found.

So far, no evidence has surfaced. Legally, he can't be charged with anything until legal evidence surfaces. ... Now he doesn't have immunity.

There is going to be an investigation. ... The public prosecutor has said it would go all the way, even if it included Fujimori. It is a huge investigation, so it is going to take awhile.

See related sites about Americas

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.