Vizcarra survives the impeachment process and remains president of Peru | World

The result was expected, according to political analysts heard by the Peruvian press. The opposition considered that the moment – of crisis generated by the coronavirus pandemic – did not favor a discussion on impeachment just a year before the next presidential elections.

The impeachment trial against Vizcarra, 57, was opened last week after the leak of audios that, according to parliamentarians, show the president trying to minimize his relationship with singer Richard Cisneros, investigated for irregular contracts with the government. .

In the audios, Vizcarra talks to two advisers about Cisneros’ trips to the presidential palace and asks them to lie in a parliamentary investigation.

In his speech to parliamentarians, the president made himself available to the Public Ministry and called on congressmen to “not be distracted” at a time when the country faces the coronavirus crisis.

According to the agent, there was no evidence of irregularities to justify his dismissal. “The only illegal act that has been proven so far is illegal recording,” he said.

Despite the wear and tear, Vizcarra remains high in popularity. An Ipsos poll found that eight out of ten Peruvians want him to stay ahead of the executive.

Defeat no Constitutional Court

On Thursday (17), the Constitutional Court rejected a precautionary measure requested by Vizcarra to suspend the trial.

Judge Marianella Ledesma pointed out that the court did not grant the measure, because “the risk of vacancy has decreased,” a sign that Vizcarra’s enemies would not have votes to remove him, according to France Presse.

César Acuña, head of the second largest party in Congress and a possible candidate in the 2021 presidential elections, has already said that an overthrow of Vizcarra “could only worsen” the current situation in the country, already weakened by the impact of the crisis caused. for the new coronavirus.

A Congressional approval of the impeachment would require 87 votes from 130 parliamentarians. At the beginning of the process, the opposition obtained 65 votes (21 of them from Alianza to El Progreso de César Acuña).

‘Conspiracy against democracy’

The opening of the The impeachment process takes place in the midst of confrontations between the Legislature and the Executive for the approval of a political reform promoted by the government. The measure would exclude candidates convicted by justice out of the elections.

Vizcarra, a centrist who assumed the presidency in 2018 after the resignation of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, accuses Congress of a “plot against democracy.” He has no representation in Congress and cannot stand in next year’s election due to constitutional limits.

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