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Power struggle in Peru: Congress removes President Castillo

2022-12-07T20:33:51.225Z


Power struggle in Peru: Congress removes President Castillo Created: 2022-12-07Updated: 2022-12-07, 9:30 p.m MPs celebrate after the oral vote on President Castillo's impeachment. © Guadalupe Pardo/AP/dpa Shortly before the vote on a no-confidence motion, the head of state wants to dissolve parliament. But he miscalculates. His government is against him - shortly afterwards he is out of office.


Power struggle in Peru: Congress removes President Castillo

Created: 2022-12-07Updated: 2022-12-07, 9:30 p.m

MPs celebrate after the oral vote on President Castillo's impeachment.

© Guadalupe Pardo/AP/dpa

Shortly before the vote on a no-confidence motion, the head of state wants to dissolve parliament.

But he miscalculates.

His government is against him - shortly afterwards he is out of office.

Lima - In Peru, the power struggle between President Pedro Castillo and the parliament has escalated.

Congress impeached Castillo on Wednesday after he announced the dissolution of Parliament.

Shortly thereafter, Castillo was arrested, as reported by the state news agency Andina.

Vice President Dina Boluarte and the opposition had interpreted Castillo's actions as a coup d'état.

101 MPs voted in favor of removing the head of state, 6 against and 10 abstained.

In this case, the constitution of the South American country provides that the vice president takes over the official business.

Castillo was arrested in the center of the capital Lima, Andina reported.

In the prefecture, he will be questioned by the Attorney General Patricia Benavides and the Chief Prosecutor for Corruption Cases.

Castillo had tried to forestall the vote on the no-confidence motion, and shortly beforehand announced the dissolution of Congress and a new election to Parliament.

The parliamentarians were then to draft a new constitution within nine months.

"Until the new Congress begins its work, we will govern by decree," announced Castillo.

Curfew was planned

In his speech, the President also announced a nationwide curfew between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. and announced a reform of the judiciary.

"Congress has destroyed the rule of law, democracy and the balance between state powers," Castillo said.

"We call on all civil society institutions and all social groups to support the decision."

However, Castillo had apparently miscalculated: After he announced the dissolution of the congress, numerous cabinet members left his flag, above all Vice President Boluarte.

“I oppose Pedro Castillo's decision to dissolve the Congress to bring about the collapse of the constitutional order.

This is a coup that aggravates the political and institutional crisis that Peruvian society must overcome in strict compliance with the law," she wrote on Twitter.

Numerous ministers resigned after Castillo's speech.

"Because the rule of law has been violated and in accordance with my democratic principles, I hereby submit my irrevocable resignation as Minister of Economy and Finance," wrote Finance Minister Kurt Burneo on Twitter.

Foreign Minister César Landa and Justice Minister Felix Chero also made their positions available.

Attorney General Benavides said: "We strongly reject the breach of the constitutional order."

Illegal coup?

The opposition also spoke of a coup d'etat.

"He can't do what he just did.

It's illegal," MP Martha Moyano of the right-wing Fuerza Popular party told RPP radio.

Her party colleague Héctor Ventura said: “Today the armed forces must respect the democratic order.” MP and former admiral José Cueto wrote on Twitter: “What Pedro Castillo has done is a coup d'état.

The armed forces will support the constitution and not the dictator.”

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Castillo's government has been under pressure since the former village school teacher took office in July last year.

Because of various allegations or differences of opinion, important ministers repeatedly vacated their posts.

Just two weeks ago, Castillo appointed a new head of cabinet - the fifth in just under a year and a half.

Since taking office, Castillo has survived two impeachment trials.

The government of the left-wing politician was also in a permanent power struggle with parliament.

Most recently, Congress refused the head of state permission to travel to the Pacific Alliance summit in Mexico, thereby canceling the meeting.

Numerous parliamentarians are also being investigated for various allegations.

Two of Castillo's predecessors were removed from office in similar proceedings.

dpa

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-12-07

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