The President of the Republic, Dina Boluartedemanded the Congress to reconsider the vote on the opinion on the advancement of elections and described as “pretexts” that the congressmen have voted in abstention on this project last Thursday in plenary session. He said that the Executive has already complied with sending a legislative initiative in this regard and that now the issue is in the field of the Legislature. It was at a press conference at the Government Palace yesterday morning.
“Gentlemen of Congress, I demand that the vote for the early elections be reconsidered,” said Boluarte, emphatically.
After the vote of the Legislature last Friday in which the opinion of early electionsHe stated that he would seek to lock him up.
“It is the Congress that has to define with its vote the advancement of elections, we have already presented it, our petition is already in Congress and they will have seen yesterday (Friday) the vote in Congress, apparently, they want to block the possibility of advance the elections”, he commented.
Boluarte described as a pretext that a large part of the parliamentarians had voted in abstention and urged them to define their vote. He also reminded them that the vast majority of Peruvians demand that the general elections be brought forward.
“83% of the population wants early elections. So, congressmen, do not look for excuses for not bringing forward the elections, do not abstain from voting, vote directly in the interest of the country, do not hide behind an abstention, it is either white or black, do not half measures solve the country’s problems, it is in your hands, congressmen, the advancement of elections. The Executive has already complied,” said the head of state.
“We will stand firm”
Likewise, Boluarte affirmed that some congressmen who ask for his resignation do so out of political revenge. “Some congressmen in their political vendettas are telling Dina to resign. What is the alternative solution? Peru does not have time for political revenge, it is there to solve problems and that is why they have been elected (…) represent well the people who have given them confidence on April 11 and do not manipulate them, ”he said.
In this sense, he indicated that he will remain firm in the government until the Congress solve the issue.
“Here we are going to be firm until Congress resolves the problem of early elections.” she pointed out.
Regarding the position of the left-wing benches that are also calling for a referendum to be held to ask the population if they want a new constituent, he commented that this is not the time for it because his government is in transition.
“They know that this is not the time, they themselves are convinced that in these circumstances that constituent assembly, which the people rightly demand, is not possible, this is a transitional government. Right now is not the time, ”he indicated.
Dina Boluarte did not make any self-criticism about the excessive use of force by the police and the military against the protesters. He did convey his condolences to the relatives of the more than twenty who died in the protests.
“In these days we have been busy wanting to bring peace to Peru. If the armed forces have left, it is to want to take care of and protect you, because this situation was overflowing with these violent groups that did not leave overnight, they had tactically organized ”, he maintained.
At another time, he reported that he will rebuild his cabinet.
“I announce that the cabinet that we formed in those moments of political crisis has been a cabinet that responded. We are going to recompose the cabinet to give greater peace of mind, with professionals, to our Peruvian population. It will be in a few more days, ”he said.
The higher office of the Congress summoned the plenary session yesterday for Tuesday, December 20. It is pending to see the reconsideration of the vote where the early elections were rejected.
Reaction in Congress
Congressman Jaime Quito (Free Peru) indicated that President Boluarte should resign, as did two of her ministers who did so this week, and defended the proposal for a constituent assembly, in addition to early elections.
“Mrs. Dina should not shield herself or have excuses because she should retire immediately as some of her ministers did yesterday. There are 21 deaths that we have in the country,” Quito said.
He explained that Peru Libre has a minority opinion that proposes early elections for April 2023 and a change of command in July of the same year. In addition, This project proposes a popular consultation on the Constituent Assembly.
“If the population says no, nothing happens and everything stays there, but the people must be consulted,” said the congressman.
For her part, parliamentarian Patricia Juárez (people force) declared that his bench is committed to an advance of the elections, but with reforms such as bicamerality and congressional re-election; while others seek to move forward with the constituent assembly.
“I think there are reasons and interests on one side and on the other, but in the end it has to lead us all to reflect to find a way out. It is true what the president says that there are arguments, reasons and excuses for actually not making the decision. I imagine that what the president has said is the feeling of the citizenry,” said Juárez.
Edgar Tello (Bloque Magisterial) said that “the statements of Mrs. Dina Boluarte are unfortunate because her back is turned to the population that is demanding a constituent assembly and a new Constitution in the streets.”
He affirmed that the president “is working for the campaign of Fujimori and other parties that have registration.”
Jorge Montoya (Popular Renovation) affirmed that he does not agree with the early elections because they do not change anything and that the day the reconsideration is presented they will make a decision en bloc.
“Just as the president says that her resignation does not solve anything, with which I agree, the advancement of elections does not solve anything either and those who were before in politics will return,” said the parliamentarian.
Eduardo Salhuana (Alliance for Progress) said he agreed with what was said by President Boluarte, when he argued that the general elections should be advanced in a transparent and legitimate manner.
“Given the political circumstances, of social conflict and that a sector asks for the elections to be brought forward, I think it is important to listen to what the public thinks. It must be done, but well, guaranteeing that the next elections are transparent, honest, and legitimate,” said Salhuana.
Edgar Reymundo (Cambio Democrático) declared that asking for a new Constitution is not an excuse but rather a fundamental issue. “If the president already forgot about her promises when she was a vice-presidential candidate, that’s something else,” he said.
Met with local elected officials
Yesterday, President Boluarte held a meeting with the elected regional and municipal authorities, according to the Andina news agency. After the meeting, a group of attending mayors signed the so-called “Declaration for the Governance and Social Peace of Peru” where they recognized Boluarte as president and demanded that the Congress approve the early elections.
The regional presidents of Cusco, Apurímac and Junín did not attend the meeting with Boluarte. And they issued statements declining the invitation. “On the contrary, we demand his resignation,” said Werner Salcedo, from Cusco.
Percy Godoy from Apurímac also decided not to participate “because of the crisis situation” in the country. And Zósimo Cárdenas, from Junín, blamed Boluarte for what happened and asked for his immediate departure.
reactions
Jaime Quito, Peru Free
“Mrs. Dina should not shield herself or have excuses because she should retire immediately as some of her ministers did yesterday. There are 21 deaths that we have in the country.
Patricia Juárez, Popular Force
“It is true what the president says that there are arguments, reasons and excuses for not actually making the decision. I imagine that what the president has said is the feeling of the citizens”.
Jorge Montoya, Popular Renewal
“Just as the president says that her resignation does not solve anything, with which I agree, the early elections do not solve anything either and those who were there before will return.”
Edgard Raymundo, Democratic Change
“A new Constitution is not an excuse, it is essential. If the president already forgot about her promises when she was a candidate for the vice presidency with former president Castillo, that is another thing ”.
Edgar Tello, Magisterial Block
“The statements by President Dina Boluarte are unfortunate because her back is turned to the population that is demanding a constituent assembly and a new Constitution in the streets.”
Eduardo Salhuana, Alliance for Progress
“Given the political circumstances, the social conflict and the fact that a sector is asking for the elections to be brought forward, I think it is important to listen to what the public thinks. You have to do it, but okay.”
