Political crisis in Peru: Dina Boluarte rules out resignation and asks Congress to vote for early elections

Hours after a bloody day in which two ministers resigned due to the violent repression that left at least 17 dead in PeruPresident Dina Boluarte has ruled out her resignation and left a strong message for Congress to vote ahead of the December 2023 election: “I ask that the early election vote be reconsidered“.

On Friday, the left and right in Congress rejected Boluarte’s proposal to shorten the presidential term and call a general election to elect the president, vice president and 130 legislators to the unicameral parliament in December 2023. The proposal received 49 votes in favor . 33 against and 25 abstentions. Additionally, 23 lawmakers did not attend, which seemed to anger the president.

“They will have seen the vote in Congress yesterday. Apparently they want to block the possibility of early elections. Congress must think, work and act towards the country. 83% of the population wants early elections,” said Boluarte del Palazzo of the Government this Saturday morning.

In one part of his speech he addressed the legislators directly: “Gentlemen and women, do not look for excuses for not bringing forward the elections. Do not abstain from voting, vote directly in the interest of the country, do not hide behind an abstention, black or white , half measures do not solve the country’s problems”.

“It is in your hands, deputies, the progress of the elections, the Executive has already respected,” he said in a message in which he spoke in Spanish and in one of the native languages ​​recognized in the country.

In a relieved tone, he continued: “Don’t come with useless pretexts by pretending to stay until 2026. Not all, of course. There is a group, that’s why I say abstention is a disguise. Decide and let people know who wants to leave and who wants to stay. Be honest with people.”

“Without political vendettas, without personal interests, don’t be blind, look at the population and act on what the population demands, we have already agreed, we have presented the bill to bring forward the elections,” said the president.

“Legislate with good laws for the Peruvian people. Examine, yes, because we are tired of corruption. Examine objectively and represent well the people who trusted you on April 11 and do not manipulate them”

Boluarte ruled out his resignation

The president also referred to rumors and calls to leave office. “I’m just complying with the constitutional mandate. There is a group that says: ‘Let Dina resign’, but what is solved? The problem is not solved. Here we will stand still until Congress passes a snap election. We must be firm to say no to violence,” the president said.

And he insisted: “To some deputies of the republic who, in their political revenge, tell Dina to resign. What is the workaround? Peru has no time for political revenge, Peru is there to solve the problems that exist for them. They chose”

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