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Peru Minister: Entire cabinet supported early general elections proposal

10:49 | Lima, Aug. 2.

Peru's Women and Vulnerable Populations Minister Gloria Montenegro has affirmed the entire Ministerial Cabinet supported the early general elections proposal announced by President Martin Vizcarra in his annual Address to the Nation, as it was the best option.

According to the official, the President's Address to the Nation was the first item on the agenda of the Council of Ministers' meeting on July 24.

"Everyone agreed on that because, at the moment of supporting the initiatives, this one was the best one," she expressed.

"All the ministers gave their opinions (on the matter)," Montenegro added.

Furthermore, the minister indicated that —thanks to the calling for early elections— there will be an orderly transfer of power.

The official also said the dialogue —started by Prime Minister Salvador del Solar— with political groups will continue.

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 bill has been recently sent to Congress.

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) FHG/DTK/MVB

Published: 8/2/2019

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Peru Minister: Entire cabinet supported early general elections proposal

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