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(CNN Spanish) - The Constitutional Court of Peru unanimously admitted, pending, the competency lawsuit filed by the Permanent Commission of Congress against the Executive Power. It requests "the Supreme Decree declaring the dissolution of the Congress issued by the Executive Power be declared void."
Thus, the Constitutional Court, the supreme body of interpretation and control of the Constitution in that country, must rule on the decision adopted on September 30 by the President of the Republic, Martín Vizcarra, who, covered by the Magna Carta, dissolved the Congress. That day, in his message to the nation, the president said: "Before the factual denial of trust I have decided to dissolve the Congress."
While the Executive alleges that he acted within the powers conferred on him by the Constitution, a sector of the dissolved Congress points out the opposite and described the decision adopted by Martín Vizcarra as a "coup d'etat". After the admission to process of the competence claim, it will be the Constitutional Court that decides on this conflict. The parliament continues under the effects of the dissolution and it will be the Permanent Commission that continues to operate.
Carlos Ramos, magistrate of the Constitutional Court, told CNN that the electoral schedule that aims to elect new parliamentarians in January 2020 continues: “Elections are held, that is, I believe that in that sense no there has to be concern in the citizenship, the electoral authority, through its different entities, can normally carry out the scheduled elections and the citizenship in that sense has to feel calm. ”
Martín Vizcarra, in the decree of dissolution of the Congress, also called elections to elect new congressmen as mandated by the Constitution.
After the decision of the Constitutional Court, the Executive Power pronounced itself through the Twitter account of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers: “As Executive we reiterate our respect for the decisions of the Constitutional Court, which are clear proof that the State of law and democracy are fully in force in our country. Our actions have always been within the framework of the Constitution, ”he said.
On the other hand, together with its decision to admit the competence claim, the Constitutional Court also ruled on the request for precautionary measures filed by the Permanent Commission of Congress and declared it inadmissible (5 votes in favor and 2 against). It sought to "suspend the effects of the decree of dissolution" of Congress.
Congress Resolution