Andina

Peru: President announces exceptional emergency government, dissolution of Congress

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic of Peru

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic of Peru

11:57 | Lima, Dec. 7.

President Pedro Castillo on Wednesday morning ordered the temporary closure of Congress and called for parliamentary elections.

Said elections will be held in a period no longer than 9 months.

The Head of State indicated that this decision was made in response to citizen demands nationwide, with the aim of restoring the rule of law and democracy.

"For which purpose the following measures are issued: temporarily dissolve the Congress of the Republic and establish an exceptional emergency government. Call, in the shortest possible time, for elections for a new Congress with constituent powers in order to prepare a new Constitution within a period not exceeding 9 months," he affirmed.

The top official provided that, as of this date and until the new Congress is established, it will be governed via decrees.

Furthermore, Mr. Castillo decreed a nationwide curfew starting on December 7, 2022, from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. the following day.

Similarly, the justice system is declared to be under reorganization, thus involving the Judiciary, the Public Ministry, the National Board of Justice, and the Constitutional Court.

The president also specified that all those who possess illegal weapons must turn them in to the National Police of Peru within 72 hours, so whoever does not "commits a crime punishable by imprisonment and will be established in the respective decree-law."

"The National Police, supported by the Armed Forces, will dedicate all their efforts to the real and effective fight against crime, corruption, and drug trafficking, for which purpose they will be provided with the necessary resources," he indicated.

OAS

Moreover, the president specified that this decision is being communicated to the Organization of American States (OAS), in attention to Article 27 of the American Convention on Human Rights.

"We call on all civil society institutions, associations, farming patrols, defense fronts, and all social sectors to support these decisions that enable us to guide our country towards development, without any discrimination," he said.

The Head of State added that in the interregnum the economic model based on a social market economy supported by the principle that indicates "as much market as possible and as much State as necessary" will be scrupulously respected.

Update at 1:50 p.m. (local time): During a plenary session, Congress on Wednesday afternoon approved an impeachment against Pedro Castillo from his position as President of the Republic due to moral incapacity in the exercise of duties. Thus, he has been constitutionally removed from office.

(END) JCC/MVB

Published: 12/7/2022