Walter Albán: "Rehabilitated can exercise their right, but not for public life"

Walter Albanformer Minister of the Interior, harshly criticized the Congress for not having taken the first step for the advancement of elections in 2023. This being the main concern of Peruvians according to the latest Ipsos survey.

Congress came out with its pleasure and kept in the drawer the early elections for this year. What do you think?

The whole panorama is quite confusing and it seems that they handle this with absolute irresponsibility. I would say that the Executive Branch also enters this game. The most immediate way to close this discussion is the resignation of Mrs. Boluarte. Meanwhile, Congress continues to speculate. The benches could collect the 66 votes so that a constitutional reform can be approved and then go to a referendum, so that elections could be called in 2023.

But don’t you think Congress had a chance to do things differently?

Congress has used constitutional and political reforms as a pretext. They have had plenty of time to make these reforms and the points that really matter never get enough votes. They have focused on re-election or bicamerality, all according to their interest.

LOOK: Congress defines this afternoon whether to resume the debate on early elections

And, in those reforms are those to prevent people convicted of serious crimes from being able to apply.

That was already stated in the Constitution. But, what has generated discomfort is that this Constitutional Court surprises us with decisions that are quite critical; It has indicated that the rehabilitation closes the possibility that the norm can be applied to those who completed their sentence.

This is an urgent modification.

The modification could be made for certain crimes; rehabilitation would not be enough to allow them to apply. Yes, it must be specified that a calm discussion on what crimes should be considered would be warranted and establish that this applies even to those considered rehabilitated. Those rehabilitated can exercise their right, but not for public life and in positions of such importance.

Who should be barred from running for public office?

All those who served their sentence in very serious crimes such as: terrorism, money laundering, corruption, drug trafficking and family violence. Although we could include one more crime such as kidnapping or murder. It would be possible to make a relationship so that it is not a generalized issue.

Congress approved constitutionally accusing Pedro Castillo.

The crimes for corruption of former President Castillo have been extensive and it is up to the judicial system to specify what crimes and under what conditions and with whom. I hope that these processes do not last a great number of years and that there is an accusation.