Andina

Peru President reaffirms willingness to seek consensus

18:23 | Tambopata (Madre de Dios region), May. 17.

President Martin Vizcarra on Friday affirmed his administration’s intention is to seek consensus among all sectors and ruled out plans to confront Congress.

"We can have disagreements, but it is not our intention to force or corner anyone (at Parliament), but to raise our points of view that are suitable for discussion, so we all can find the best decision," the Head of State said. 

In this sense, he believes the Supreme Court of Justice should be in charge of lifting parliamentary immunity and not lawmakers themselves. This proposal was shelved by the Constitution Commission on Thursday. 

"We think Congress members must have immunity but, when it is deemed necessary and respecting the due process, another branch of the State should take care of this. It surely could be the Supreme Court," President Vizcarra added. 

According to the top official, in democracy, a State branch can supervise another branch, and recalled that State ministers can be questioned and even censured by Congress. 

Likewise, the statesman mentioned he has urged Parliament to present an alternative proposal if they think the one submitted by the Executive Branch is inappropriate. 

(END) CCR/DTK/RMB

Published: 5/17/2019