Andina

Peru President attends FA Ministry anniversary ceremony

ANDINA/Prensa Presidencia

14:42 | Lima, Aug. 2.

President Martin Vizcarra on Friday participated in the ceremony commemorating the 198th anniversary of Peru's Foreign Affairs Ministry.

During his speech, the Head of State indicated that the current political crisis will be left behind thanks to citizens' support and commitment, adding a new path towards progress, development, and well-being will be built. 

In this sense, the top official pointed out his administration's mission —since the beginning— was to guide Peru to a new era, which involves overcoming the crisis that was inherited and leading the country towards the Independence Bicentennial (2021).

According to the Head of State, it means overcoming a crisis which was inherited.

"This mandate demands a renewal of the representatives via citizen participation. This requires acts of greatness and generosity from all of us," he added. 

On the occasion, he was joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Nestor Popolizio. 

The ceremony took place at Lima-based Torre Tagle Palace, the Ministry's headquarters.


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, where it is expected to be passed. The constitutional reform will have to be approved by citizens via referendum, too.

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) DTK/MVB

Published: 8/2/2019