Peru’s president faces a third impeachment attempt: what can happen?

The president of Peru, Peter Castle, This Wednesday he faces a third attempt by the opposition in Congress to remove him from office for “permanent moral incapacity”, after just 16 months in his government and the confrontation between the Executive and the Legislative has soured.

So far, Castle did not confirm whether it will appear before the plenary for exercise your defense before lawmakers discussion and vote the motion, presented last week by independent MP Edward Malaga.

The unicameral Peruvian Congress approved on Thursday, with 73 votes in favor, 32 against and 6 abstentions, the admission to the trial this third motion for vacancy (removal) since Castillo took office on July 28 of last year.

The document requires that Castillo leave the office for an alleged “permanent moral incapacity”, as he considers it “unacceptable for a president to hold office in the midst of strong indications of corruptiongross unworthiness or moral and ethical questions”.

It also mentions “the irresponsible dismantling of public administration and clientele acquisition of state institutions”, the “increasingly evident links with serious acts of corruption” and “serious ethical violations that threaten the dignity of the presidential figure”.

Castillo defends the will of the people

In one of his latest comments on the subject, the head of state declared on Sunday that the motion for vacancy It’s “part of the political game” in front of your country.

However, he is confident that “a sector of the political class” will understand that “there was a government set up by the majority and we must defend (…) the will of the people”.

Castillo insisted that his government is “ready for dialogue” and “to see things democratically, respecting the country’s institutions and governance”.

Likewise, he ruled out in a Twitter message on Sunday that he is “scheming” a close of Congress to “avoid a vacancy”, after a series of rumors spread on social media last weekend by several opposition lawmakers.

“I reaffirm my commitment to democracy, the rule of law and the constitution,” Castillo said, reiterating his call to parliament for “the broadest unity.”

voices

This Monday, the president of Congress, José Williamssaid he had heard rumors that Defense Minister Daniel Barragán, who resigned from office citing “personal reasons”, hhe had asked the Armed Forces support an eventual closure of Congress.

Williams, who represents the opposition party Avanza País, addressed the military to underline that the country “respects the Constitution and the laws”, and said that the new defense minister, Emilio Bobbio, has “a great responsibility on his shoulders ”.

The president of Congress also supported the motion presented against Castillo because, in his opinion, it corresponds to the “political control” of the legislators and commented that if a third initiative of this type has been presented, it is because it “reflects that there is discontent” of a “large” sector of the population.

The vote

In order to proceed with an eventual removal of the sovereign, a vote in favor of, at least 87 of the 130 MPsafter which the call to assume the head of state would be the vice president Dina Boluarte.

However, both the representatives of the ruling party and those of the opposition have declared it in the last few hours it will be difficult for the motion to get that support.

Castillo has already put up a first filing request in December 2021, when the motion was not admitted to consideration, and a second trial in March, when he received only 55 votes in favor.

EFE extension

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