Peruvian Congress has approved the six political reform bills submitted by the Executive Branch within the framework of the
These are the reforms that Congress approved:
1. Registration and dissolution of political parties
-It modifies the Political Parties Law.
-In order to register a political party, a roll of affiliates —with no less than 0.1% of citizens who voted in the last elections— is required.
-The dissolution of a political party will be carried out if it does not have at least 5 representatives at Congress in more than one constituency and at least 5% of valid votes across the country in parliamentary elections.
-For electoral alliances, the bar will be raised by 1% for each additional party.
-The alliances that may have obtained representation or won the election shall remain operative during the corresponding term.
2. Internal democracy
-It modifies the Political Organizations Law.
-It establishes that the election of political party candidates must be through primary, open, and obligatory elections, including militants and citizens.
-Political parties —which have already been constituted— can exceptionally elect their candidates for 2021 in closed internal elections among their militants.
-The candidates for primary elections must have at least 6 months of affiliation in the party before these elections are held.
-The order of the candidates in the lists will be established by the party's competent body, respecting the principles of internal democracy.
3. Political parties financing
-It includes, in the Criminal Code, the political organizations' improper financing offense and the falsifying information on contributions, income, and expenses offense, as well as a list of forbidden financing sources.
-The person —who intentionally requests, receives, or delivers financing from a forbidden source— will be punished by deprivation of liberty from two to up to five years.
-It also prohibits financing from Non-Governmental Organizations to political parties, unless it is intended for militant training.
4. Impediment to run as candidates for public office
-It reforms the Constitution.
-It includes Article 34-A forbidding any person —who has been sentenced in first instance for intentional crimes— to run as candidate.
-It also establishes that those sentenced for international crimes cannot become officials.
5. Equality and alternation
-It proposes progressive equality in the list of candidates. The 2021 elections list should include at least 40% of women and 40% of men. Later, for the 2026 list, the quota will be 45% of men and 45% of women. In 2031, it will reach 50% of men and 50% of women.
-The lists will be composed of men and women in an alternating manner.
6. Parliamentary immunity
-Parliamentary immunity will remain a power of Congress, and it establishes a period of 45 days for its assessment. If this term is not complied with, the Supreme Court can request for it to be resolved by the Constitutional Court (TC).
-The lifting of parliamentary immunity requires the favorable vote of half plus one of the number of lawmakers or TC magistrates, depending on the case.
-Arrest immunity has been removed.
(END) FHG/RMCH/DTK/MVB