              
              Spanish Version
            
                    search
                    close

Peru: Demonstrations in favor of early general elections to take place today

00:02 | Lima, Sep. 5.

Peruvians will participate today in the massive demonstrations aimed at supporting the early general elections bill proposed by President Martin Vizcarra's administration.

Residents of various regions are expected to join the march convened by civil organizations, National Coordinator for Human Rights (CNDDHH) Executive Secretary Jorge Bracamonte informed.

According to the CNDDHH, Puno, Cusco, Tacna, Arequipa, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Ancash, Loreto, and Piura regions have confirmed they will protest in support of the Executive Branch's initiative.

"In some cases, there will be gatherings, in others, there will be marches," Bracamonte told Andina news agency.

He did not rule out more protests could take place in other areas of the country.

In the case of Lima, the gathering will start at San Martin Square at 5:00 PM (local time).

Within this framework, Bracamonte projected between 10,000 and 15,000 people will attend the national event.

The demonstrations are supported by diverse civil organizations and associations.

Days ago, President Martin Vizcarra affirmed the early general elections by 2020 are the only way out of the current political entrapment and urged lawmakers to listen to the people.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Salvador del Solar said before Congress' Constitution Commission that this constitutional reform is the best means to offer the country a way out of the political confrontation.

Last August, 72% of Peruvians supported the proposal of holding early elections by 2020. Also, 69% rejected the possibility of a presidential impeachment.

President proposes early elections

During 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) DTK/MVB

Published: 9/5/2019

Video más visto

Peru: Demonstrations in favor of early general elections to take place today

Most read