Andina

Peru: Executive Branch holds meeting with Venice Commission

ANDINA/Difusión

11:26 | Lima, Sep. 24.

Peruvian Prime Minister Salvador del Solar and Justice Minister Vicente Zeballos on Tuesday held a meeting with the Venice Commission, in which they explained the early general elections proposal introduced by President Martin Vizcarra's administration to Congress last July.

On Monday, Zeballos indicated they would provide all the information concerning the framework, in which the constitutional reform bill submitted by the Executive Branch has been developing.

Thus, the Peruvian officials presented the arguments and reasons why the Executive Branch suggested said initiative, as well as the background, the regulatory framework, and the historical data on the matter.

Likewise, the Justice Minister recalled the Venice Commission is an advisory body, and its opinions do not have a binding force in the Inca country. 


The delegation is composed of Thomas Markert (Venice Commission Secretary), Serguei Kouznetsov (Head of the Neighborhood Co-operation Division), and Alberto Guevara (Head of the International Affairs Department), as well as Josep Castella, Domingo Hernandez, and Jose Vargas (substitute members).

As is known, Peruvian Congress Chairman Pedro Olaechea requested the presence of the Venice Commission with the purpose of asking their opinion on the early general elections proposal

The meeting took place at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers' (PCM) Headquarters in the capital city of Lima.


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.


"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.


(END) VVS/DTK/MVB

Published: 9/24/2019