Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra’s decision to dissolve Congress has created a huge political upset in Peru, with numerous people currently protesting in the capital, Lima. On September 30, the President announced on national television his act to dissolve Congress. The President of Congress, Pedro Olaechea, responded to this by declaring President Vizcarra’s temporary removal and accusing him of “breaking the constitutional order.” The Vice President, Mercedes Araoz, was subsequently sworn in, leaving the country uncertain how the conflict between their executive and legislative branches would ultimately resolve. They still do not know whether the President will allow Congress to suspend him, or whether Congress will comply with the President’s act to dissolve them.
President Vizcarra’s attempt to dissolve Congress was due to his frustration with the way in which magistrates (members of Peru’s top court) are elected. His goal was to make the election process more transparent and avoid corruption. This seems to be a valid concern, especially since six of the seven nominees for the tribunal (a governing body set up to enforce the Constitution) have come under scrutiny for links to criminally suspect judges. Peru has also had a rough political history. First a scandal surrounding former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski who resigned after being accused of receiving 4 million dollars from the company Odebrecht. Then former President Alan Garcia who died via a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head before police could arrest him, and former President Alejandro Toledo who was arrested in California.
Vizcarra has been pushing for reforms in favor of the people for some time, but he is always blocked by right-wing lawmakers in Congress. According to the Peruvian Constitution, new Parliamentary elections can be held 4 months after Congress is dissolved. This would give the people the chance to choose their own Congress and magistrates, and hopefully reduce corruption. Vizcara has the support of the military, the police, and the protestors in Lima. BY protesting, they hope to express their anger with Congress for suspending a President who is attempting to make reforms.
Lima, Peru.
President Vizcarra’s opposition likens his attempt to dissolve Congress to that of a dictator, and they threaten to depose him (forcefully remove him from office) for violating the Constitution. This is ironic because Vizcarra sees the dissolution of Congress as a “democratic solution” to a years long problem in the country. The current large-scale political protests in Peru not only express anger and frustration, but they express fear at the instability of their government. But, in order for this uncertainty to be resolved, one of two extremely resistant political bodies will have to give in.
