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Peru: Congress Constitution Commission shelves early general elections bill

13:19 | Lima, Sep. 26.

Peruvian Congress' Constitution Commission —presided over by lawmaker Rosa Bartra— on Thursday approved the preliminary decision to shelve the early general elections bill submitted by the Executive Branch to Parliament last July.

President Martin Vizcarra's administration had proposed calling for the general elections by 2020, one year sooner than initially expected, so that Peruvians would choose a new President, Vice-Presidents, and Congress members.

The congressional document —sent to the work group members on Wednesday— recommended them not to approve the proposal and to definitely shelve the initiative.

In this sense, the preliminary verdict received 13 votes in favor and one against.

Lawmakers of Nuevo Peru, Unidos por la Republica, Peruanos Por el Kambio, and Liberal parties departed the meeting before the pre-verdict was put to vote, as they disagreed on how Bartra was conducting the session.

Those lawmakers presented a motion aimed at debating the preliminary decision at Congress' plenary session. However, it was not put to vote.

Last August, the President affirmed the early general elections would be the only way out of the current political entrapment and urged lawmakers to listen to the people.

President proposes early elections

In his annual Address to the Nation —on the occasion of the country's 198th Independence Anniversary— Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra proposed calling for early general elections by 2020, instead of 2021.

The initiative came as response to the way Parliament handled the political reform bills presented by the Executive Branch to Parliament and submitted to a confidence motion.

Congress granted a confidence vote to the administration over the projects on June 5. However, the approved bills had been altered during the debates by legislators.

"Taking into account that the confidence requested for the reforms has been approved only in words and denied in facts, I have decided —as consequence— to once again put the interests of Peru above all," the Head of State said on that day.

In this sense, the top official underlined that he has traveled across the entire country, noting there is no place in Peru where he has not been asked to dissolve Parliament.

"Peruvians should be able to choose their destiny to make the way for Peru's Bicentennial (2021). With this action, the foundations of our Republic will be reinforced, even if it means we must all go. Congress members, Peru First!" he pointed out.

"For all the above, I propose a way out of this institutional crisis. I present Congress a constitutional reform for the calling of early general elections, which implies cutting the congressional mandate to July 28, 2020," the highest-ranking official expressed.

"In the same way, in that reform, cutting the presidential mandate to that date is also requested," he added.

Congress has become very unpopular in Peru.

President Vizcarra's administration intended to implement reforms to enhance the political-judicial system. Plus, it launched a crusade against corruption.

He took office on March 23, 2018, to replace resigning Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. His term was initially expected to come to an end in 2021.

(END) RMCH/DTK/MVB

Published: 9/26/2019

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Peru: Congress Constitution Commission shelves early general elections bill

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