Political crisis in Peru: Congress is now considering a complaint against the vice president of Pedro Castillo

this monday started complicated week for the government of Pedro Castillo in Peru, which he faces on Wednesday a motion of no confidence in Congress. Previously, Parliament’s Subcommittee on Constitutional Accusations (SAC) had a discussion and was preparing to vote at this time a final report which recommends presenting the constitutional appeal against the vice president and former minister Dina Bolarte.

Boluarte is the one who would occupy the presidency if Castillo loses the motion on Wednesday. But the vice president herself faces her own charges against her: a trial to suspend her from public office for continuing as president of a private club when I was a minister.

Third in the presidential succession would be the president of Congress, Joseph Williamsa retired army general who is a member of Avanza País, one of three right-wing parties leading the offensive from the legislature.

This Monday, the SAC was discussing a final report recommending that the constitutional complaint be filed against Boluarte for having provided for the private club when he already held public office. The complaint calls for disqualification from public employment for 10 years.

In Monday’s session, pro-government lawmaker Edgar Reymundo must argue the reasons and analysis behind his recommendation to drop the complaint against Boluarte.

When the pro-government lawmaker was designated as delegate to draft the final report, his role was questioned and his replacement was sought, but to no avail.

On Wednesday

Regardless of what happens with the vice president, Castillo will face a new impeachment attempt on Wednesday, amidst rumors of coup attempts, all without evidence, which rocked the weekend in Peru.

Castillo, a rural leftist professor with no political party, is due to appear before Congress on Wednesday to defend himself in a trial that aims to remove him for “permanent moral incapacity”.

The 53-year-old president tried to block the session by claiming the motion was “incomplete,” but Congress, controlled by three radical right-wing parties, He rejected this attitude and insisted on the presentation, which would precede a vote which could take place immediately afterwards.

If 87 out of 130 deputies vote for the vacant seat, Castillo will have to give way to the vice president.

The key word will be the 37 deputies elected last year by Castillo’s then party, the Marxist-Leninist Peru Libre (PL), and who are now scattered in four groups, some of them critical of government management.

The local press speaks of alleged negotiations between Castillo and his former bench and even points out that the president is willing to sacrifice his ministerial chief of staff in exchange for support, Betsy Chavezformer PL militant who has strong contrasts not only with the right, but also with his former colleagues.

The newspaper El Comercio de Lima asks this Monday in a column whether Wednesday’s debate can be postponed.

Consulted by El Comercio, specialists in parliamentary matters Martín Cabrera and Alejandro Rospigliosi they answered no and that the action of the president (to appeal against his accusation) would be aimed at hindering and delaying the work of the national representation.

Clarín press room with information from Gonzalo Ruiz Tovar, special from Lima for Télam and El Comercio

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