Peru: President Sagasti calls for working together

During his speech after being sworn in to office, the Head of State pointed out that —with very honorable exceptions— the national political class has not lived up to the challenge and instead engaged in confrontations —without knowing how to listen to citizens in order to respond to the legitimate aspirations of Peruvians, such as: the demands for recognition and dignity, equal treatment, and opportunities for all.

"Dear colleagues, we must remedy this with a sense of urgency, putting grudges and resentments aside, accepting that it is essential to work together and acknowledging that only with humility and generosity can we restart the journey along a path that the heroes of independence had foreseen," he expressed.

The top official stressed that this path should have led citizens to find a Republic characterized by equal citizens, which recognizes diverse and pluralistic identities and has a common purpose such as freedom, well-being, equality, and prosperity for all.

Mr. Sagasti said it is time to take seriously the promise of life that Jorge Basadre used to talk about: the promise of the Republican Life, which "we have disappointed for 200 years."

 

In this sense, the top official pointed out that —in recent years and especially in the last quinquennium— politics has been very destructive, and many times the players have not acted as contenders or rivals, but as irreconcilable enemies.

The statesman affirmed that the events occurred over the last few days prove it once again. However, he stressed that "politics should not and cannot be like that, but rather must respond to the efforts to find consensus or shared paths."

Francisco Sagasti has become President of the Republic until July 28, 2021. He replaces resigning Manuel Merino, who stepped down last Sunday —after less than one week in office and amid major protests.