Speaking at a seminar on Indian rights, she then blamed "certain" parties for "boycotting" a project in Congress led by Toledo's party to reform the constitution.

"They also want a coup d'etat, not just to throw out (Toledo), but also Congress and all its representatives," Karp, a Belgian-born anthropologist who has applied for Peruvian citizenship, said without elaborating.

"These times are grave. Democracy is in danger."

The comments drew a hail of criticism from opposition politicians, who denied trying to undermine the constitutional reform.

Jorge del Castillo, secretary-general of Apra, the leading opposition party, threatened to suspend his group's participation in a government-sponsored "National Accord" signed this year by Peru's political parties and other groups.

Daniel Estrada, an opposition congressman, suggested that Karp could be expelled from Peru for disturbing public order as a foreigner.

"Eliane Karp is playing with fire," he said.

Karp's remarks came just days after the dust settled following a scandal over a bank consulting job she held.

An opposition newspaper last month revealed that Karp was earning dlrs 10,000 a month to advise Peru's second-largest bank on agricultural projects.

The consultancy, which began before Toledo's inauguration in July 2001, raised suspicions of influence peddling and prompted calls for an investigation. A week after the revelation, Karp resigned from the job but insisted it was a legal contract.

The controversy raised debate about the political role played by Karp, who has been unusually outspoken, breaking the tradition of discreet first ladies .