Peru Congress Rejects Early Polls, Despite Massive Protests
Congress in Peru has again voted against bringing general elections forward to December 2023.
Early elections are one of the key demands of protesters who have been staging almost daily demonstrations for the past seven weeks since the then-President, Pedro Castillo, was ousted.
The proposal for early elections is backed by his successor, Dina Doluarte, but congress is deeply divided.
Monday’s vote was the third attempt to move the elections to this year since Peru was plunged into crisis on 7 December when Pedro Castillo tried to dissolve congress in order to stave off an impeachment vote against him.
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Almost 50 people have been killed in clashes between demonstrators and the security forces.
President Boluarte said she would present a new bill which would allow for a non-binding referendum on a constitution to be held as well as fresh elections this year.
Demonstrator holds a flag in front of riot police officers standing guard during a protest to demand Peru’s President Dina Boluarte to step down, in Lima, Peru, January 31, 2023. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda
LIMA, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Peru’s Congress on Wednesday rejected a proposal to move elections forward to December 2023 despite nearly two months of protests that have left dozens dead following the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo.
Lawmakers will continue debating a different proposal to hold early elections, a key demand of the protesters. But Peru’s Congress is deeply fragmented and reaching an agreement is trick
“I regret that Congress has not reached the necessary consensus to advance elections,” President Dina Boluarte said on Twitter. “We will immediately present a bill so Peruvians can democratically elect their authorities in 2023.”
Jorge Montoya, a congressman and spokesperson for the far right-wing Popular Renovation party, said during Wednesday’s debate that early elections were unconstitutional and that members of Congress should be allowed to finish their term.
