Andina

Peru President given over 60 minutes to defend his stance at impeachment session

LIMA,PERÚ-JULIO 28.Mensaje a la Nación del Presidente Pedro Pablo Kuczynski en el Congreso de la República.Foto:ANDINA/ Prensa Presidencia

LIMA,PERÚ-JULIO 28.Mensaje a la Nación del Presidente Pedro Pablo Kuczynski en el Congreso de la República.Foto:ANDINA/ Prensa Presidencia

12:19 | Lima, Dec. 19.

President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski will be given the additional time he needs to exercise his right to defense at a Congress plenary session to discuss a request to impeach him, Congress Chairman Luis Galarreta said on Tuesday.

The Congress Board of Directors assured the Parliament has submitted relevant communications to the leader on time, including the motion to impeach him on the grounds of moral incapacity, following corruption allegations involving scandal-tainted Odebrecht.   

In a statement, the Board said it has sent transcripts and videos of previous sessions in which the motion was discussed and passed. Plus, it extended the invitation for him to attend Thursday's session.

The statesman may defend himself or be assisted by a lawyer for over 60 minutes, in accordance with Congress regulations.


As is known, Congress' opposition party Frente Amplio (Wide Front) on Friday filed a motion to impeach President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on the grounds of moral incapacity, following corruption allegations involving scandal-plagued Odebrecht. 

Seconded by legislators from various opposition parties, the initiative came in response to the President's Thursday night address, in which he denied wrongdoing and ties to the corruption-tainted firm.   

The motion accuses President Kuczynski of denying having received payments from Odebrecht in a letter addressed to a Congress investigative commission and then admitting to providing advisory services.   

In addition, it refers to a series of alleged advisory fees linked to Mr. Kuczynski disclosed by the Brazilian builder in a report.   

(END) SMA/RMB/MVB

Published: 12/19/2017