Congress boycotts, for the third time, the early elections

No Exit. Yesterday the opinion of Peru Libre fell, which proposed advancing complementary elections this year and a constituent referendum. Prime Minister Otárola is going to Congress today to support the Executive’s project, which would suffer the same fate. Meanwhile, the chips are already moving for the censorship of Williams.

Yesterday, at 8:30 p.m., the plenary session of the Congress rejected for the third time a bill to advance elections. This time, the proposal that failed was the minority opinion of Free Peruwhich proposed that complementary elections be held in July of this year and that this includes a referendum for a constituent assembly. The author of this new substitute text, congressman Jaime Quito, had given in to the fact that the elections are complementary so that your colleagues can run and seek re-election, but not even that offer seduced the right-wing benches.

His colleague Digna Calle, from Podemos Peru, had proposed that the Quito ruling be voted on separately: first the early elections and second the referendum constituent. However, Calle’s point of order was rejected with 113 votes and 12 in favor, only two Perulibristas supported it: Jaime Quito and Alex Flores.

This caused an outcome that was foreseen: the rejection of the minority opinion. Finally, the substitute text of Quito, when it was submitted to a vote, It only obtained the consent of 48 parliamentarians, while 75 opposed it and one abstained.

The spokesman for Free PeruFlavio Cruz, before the end of the session, raised a reconsideration to return to debate and vote on the opinion, but it was in vain: 78 congressmen voted against and 47 in favor.

At a slow pace

Now, the only proposal that remains to be discussed is that of the Executivewhich raises general elections in October and change of command in 2024. But a similar initiative, presented by the president of the Constitution Commission‘Nano’ Guerra García, was presented on Friday, January 27 and did not have the endorsement of 87 legislators, the number necessary to approve this constitutional reform.

What guarantees the Executive that the bill will succeed and get two-thirds support? The outlook is bleak.

Alberto Otárolathe president’s prime minister Dina Boluartewill participate today in a session of the Constitution Commission to support the government’s proposal.

The law promoted by Boluarte cannot be exempted from the commission process because it is a constitutional reform. It must go through all stages and instances of Parliament. The problem is that the deadline runs against the clock. The legislature expires on February 10. If by that date, the Guerra García commission does not approve an opinion and this one does not receive the green light from the Fullthe advancement of elections will be impossible to materialize this year because it needs two legislatures to be approved.

In this eventual scenario, the only way to advance the elections is the resignation of Boluarte, but the president clings to her position.

Board of Directors in sight

Although the president does not give in, some benches take precautions in case she resigns and comes to Joseph Williamsholder of the Board of Directorsas someone expendable.

Congressional sources assured this newspaper that Congressman Luis Aragón of Acción Popular will support the censorship of Williams.

The Republic He looked for the version of the acciopopulista and answered the following: “I am not promoting in a particular way. But I do have knowledge of that subject.” This newspaper insisted and asked him if he is in favor of changing to williams. Aragón avoided responding and said: “I reserve the right of opinion, for now.”

When he was approached in the Lost Steps, however, he said: “I have never expressed my rejection of being part of the Board of Directors”, if Boluarte resigns and Williams is censured. He is now in favor of Boluarte’s departure because that “would speed up the transfer process.”

The same sources added that Congressman Guillermo Bermejo is behind Williams’ call for censorship. At the close of this note, Russet did not answer.

Hours before becoming aware of this information, In the debate in the chamber, Congressman Aragón took the floor and spoke in favor of the minority opinion of Jaime Quito, from Peru Libre.

“It does not seem wrong to me that the people are asked whether or not they want a constituent assembly. We are not talking about the conditions, that is already part of a constituent process after the referendum, in case the yes wins,” said Aragón.

His intervention was applauded by the left.

Aragon, remember, last year he was the opponent of Williams in the election of the Board of Directors of Congress. Williams won him with 67 votes, while Aragón obtained 41. The division on the left favored Williams overtaking him.

But not only the left moves its chips in this struggle.

For Congresswoman Gladys Echaíz de popular renewal, Williams has not had a proper handle on Congress. Besides, Given the possibility that Boluarte leaves office, It is important for this sector of the right to have a president of the Board of Directors who assumes the reins of government and who only calls for presidential elections and not congressional ones. This guarantees them to stay until 2026.

In Avanza País they are concerned. Williams belongs to this bench. Diego Bazán, a legislator from this group, called on Boluarte not to leave office for fear that this would cause his colleagues to dismiss Williams. “If Mrs. Boluarte resigns, there is a group that will seek the censure of Williams and anyone will end up as president ”, warned, Bazán, scared, in Exitosa.

This is how political calculations prevail in the midst of a social chaos where no solutions appear.