Peru: Prime Minister's Cabinet granted confidence vote over political reform

12:51 | Lima, Jun. 5.

Peru's Congress on Wednesday delivered a confidence vote —over the political reform— to the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Salvador del Solar.

Lawmakers passed the confidence motion with 77 votes in favor, 44 against, and three (3) abstentions.

Del Solar's presentation began on Tuesday at 10:00 AM (local time) and was followed by a long debate —which lasted until 9:30 PM and resumed this morning— among legislators at the plenary session.

Confidence motion

Last week, President Martin Vizcarra announced his administration's decision to introduce a confidence motion to Congress regarding State policies aimed at strengthening institutions and fighting corruption in the Inca country, as included in the political reform bills submitted to Parliament.

The motion of confidence is a constitutional mechanism provided under the 1993 Constitution of Peru. It was created to offer a way out for the Executive Branch when it comes into open collision with Parliament.

Via this mechanism, a State Minister —on an individual basis— or the Prime Minister —on behalf of the Cabinet— can ask Congress for a vote of confidence regarding a law or government initiative, according to articles 132 and 133 of the Constitution.

Under article 133 of the Constitution, the denial of the confidence leads to a total crisis in the Cabinet.

Article 134 of the Constitution states that the President of the Republic has the power to close Congress if the latter has passed the motion of censure or denied the vote of confidence to two Cabinets.

As is known, the current Congress had already granted a no-confidence vote to a former Cabinet in September 2017. At that time, Mr. Vizcarra was serving as Vice-President.

Last Monday, President Vizcarra affirmed he expected lawmakers —who represent Peruvian citizens' will— to give his Cabinet the vote of confidence in order to proceed with the political reform proposed by his administration.

Congress will not be dissolved due to today's result.

(END) CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 6/5/2019

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