Andina

Peru: President Boluarte asks Congress to reflect and approve early elections

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic of Peru

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic of Peru

10:04 | Lima, Dec. 17.

The President of the Republic Dina Boluarte on Saturday morning called on Congress to reflect and not look for pretexts to avoid approving a bill aimed at calling for early elections.

Joined by the Ministerial Cabinet, Mrs. Boluarte led a press conference at the Government Palace in Lima.

During the event, the Head of State recalled that, on her own initiative, the Executive Branch had presented a bill to bring the elections forward.

The document is already at Parliament —the institution which must define this new electoral process.

"Congress must reflect and work for the country. Eighty-three percent of the population wants early elections, so don't look for excuses not to bring the elections forward. Vote for the benefit of the country. Don't hide behind any abstention," she expressed.


"Bringing the elections forward is in your hands, Congress members. The Executive Branch has already complied by presenting the bill," she affirmed.

Likewise, the President said nothing will be solved if she resigns from the Presidency of the Republic. Therefore, she stated that "we will be firm until Congress resolves bringing the elections forward."

Constitutional order

The Head of State said she holds the highest political rank in Peru, thus complying with the constitutional order, having integrated the same ticket with ex-President Pedro Castillo, who —once impeached by Congress— had to leave office.

"I am here fulfilling the constitutional order; I want to work with you and solve the problems that this country has," she affirmed.

Similarly, the top official recalled that she had protected the ex-President as much as she could and was the one who had told him not to submit a confidence motion to Congress —as this would cause more confrontation and polarization.

"At that time, I recommended and suggested that it was not appropriate to present this motion of confidence, that we should rather build bridges so that, joined by democratic legislators, the country's path could be straightened with firm changes," she added.

Actions

On the other hand, the President explained that the Council of State was convened to solve the issue of protests and violence which affect various Peruvian regions.

Moreover, the top official said that the Executive Branch called on the Churches so that its members can become the mediators for dialogue "between the violent groups and us" so as to work in a fraternal and orderly manner —within the framework of law.

"We cannot generate violence for no reason. Peru cannot stop after the pandemic. Peru has problems to solve after the war between Russia and Ukraine, such as the case of urea," she expressed.

The Head of State specified that the Armed Forces came out to protect the population, given the situation caused by violent groups, whose members had not taken to the streets overnight, but had rather "tactically scheduled the seizure of airports and road blockades."

"It is very painful, in my capacity as a woman and as the first female president of the country in 200 years, (to see) that a violent group generates so much horror and terror. Calm down, because only surrounded by calm, peace, as well as sincere and open dialogue, we can work," she concluded.

(END) JCC/MVB

Published: 12/17/2022