The president of the Congress of the Republic, Joseph Williams, informed that the project for the current legislature, which was extended until next January 31, to be extended until February 10, has already been sent to the Constitution Commission – chaired by Hernando Guerra García. Also, he said, the second session that was to begin on March 1 would be brought forward to February 15.
“The idea is that the Congress make the necessary reforms with a view to the general elections that have already been approved for April 2024. We cannot go to a process with all the problems we have had, but let’s not give up and do nothing to change,” he said.
In statements to the press, he explained that the project is already in the Constitution and as soon as it is tested it will be seen by the Plenary of Congress. “It is perfectly possible, it is within the law, we are not unfolding the legislature,” he explained.
Williams reiterated that the approval of some reforms prior to the April 2024 elections is necessary. Among them, he mentioned the modification of article 117 of the Constitution in order to allow the incumbent president to be accused during his term of office for the crime of corruption.
Regarding the re-election of congressmen, he said that this is a difficult moment and it would not be well received by the population, even though he recalled that, in general, no more than 18% of parliamentarians are elected. “It’s not the right time,” he said.
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SECOND VOTE
Regarding the second vote on the constitutional reform project that advances the elections, and the possibility that the left, as anticipated, does not support the initiative, Williams said that “it will be their responsibility because there is a commitment to advance the elections.” . “If it is not achieved, we are going to have a term term problem; it is the responsibility of a congressman to ratify that the mandate has been shortened within the term and that citizens have the possibility of electing a president and their congressmen”, he indicated.
Regarding the Constituent Assembly proposed by the leftist benches, he recalled that it is not contemplated in the Constitution and that two ordinary legislatures of the Congress of the Republic would be needed to incorporate it.
“The best thing we can do is advance the elections and put them in the corresponding period, and make the population understand that we are all leaving, the Executive, us and the citizens must choose the best ones that they deem appropriate,” he remarked.
Finally, asked about a possible resignation of Dina Boluarte to the Presidency of the Republic, the head of the Legislative branch indicated that it is being evaluated by the president.
