2019–2020 Peruvian constitutional crisis
| 2019 Peruvian constitutional crisis | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of 2017–19 Peruvian political crisis | |||
  Top to bottom: Palacio de Gobierno, seat of Peru's presidency. Palacio Legislativo, meeting place of the Congress of Peru | |||
| Date | 30 September 2019 – ongoing (5 years, 7 months and 27 days) | ||
| Parties | |||
| Lead figures | |||
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The 2019 Peruvian constitutional crisis began when President Martin Vizcarra dissolved the Congress of Peru on 30 September 2019.[1] Congress responded by declaring Vizcarra's presidency suspended and appointed vice president Mercedes Aráoz as interim president, moves that were largely seen as null.[1][2]
The next day on 1 October 2019, Aráoz announced her resignation while Vizcarra issued a decree for legislative elections to be held on 26 January 2020.[2]
Background
The presidency of Peru and the Congress of Peru were in conflict since the beginning of the tenure of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. By 15 September 2017, congress made a no-confidence vote, resulting in the reformation of the Cabinet of Peru.[3][4] Later during the Odebrecht scandal, President Kuczynski resigned from office following allegations of corruption and was replaced by his first vice president, Martin Vizcarra.[5]
Vizcarra made anti-corruption initiatives his main priority,[1] pushing for the a constitutional referendum to prohibit private funding for political campaigns, ban the reelection of lawmakers and to create a second legislative chamber.[6] Transparency International also praised the move, stating that "This is a very important opportunity, one that is unlike previous opportunities because, in part, the president appears genuinely committed".[7]
While Vizcarra pursued actions against corruption, political leader Keiko Fujimori was arrested in October 2018 on money laundering and corruption charges related to the Odebrecht scandal.[8][9] The Fujimorists of the Popular Force party held the majority of seats in the Congress of Peru and had made Vizcarra's efforts complicated since he was vice president.[10] Following the arrest of Fujimori, the Fujimorist-led congress introduced a bill to change Vizcarra's referendum proposals.[11] Peruvians ultimately agreed with Vizcarra's proposals during the referendum in December 2018.[12]
No-confidence law
In the Constitution of Peru, the executive branch can dissolve congress after a second vote of no-confidence.[4][1] The first vote of no-confidence occurred in September 2017.[3] Vizcarra enacted a constitutional process on 29 May 2019 that would create a motion of no confidence towards congress if they refused to cooperate with his proposed actions against corruption.[13]
Demanding reforms against corruption, Vizcarra called for a vote of no confidence on 27 September 2019, stating it was "clear the democracy of our nation is at risk".[4] Vizcarra and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights criticized congress for blocking a proposal for general elections while it quickly approved nominations to the Constitutional Court of Peru without investigating the backgrounds on nominees.[4] Vizcarra sought to reform the Constitutional Court nomination process and congress' approval or disapproval of his proposal was seen "as a sign of confidence in his administration".[4]
Events
Dissolution of congress
On 30 September 2019, congress named a new member to the Constitutional Court of Peru, the cousin of the house's president, who would most likely decide disputes between congress and the presidency, ignoring Vizcarra's proposal for reform.[1] Vizcarra argued that the appointment by congress was the second act of no-confidence in his government, granting him the authority to dissolve congress.[1] This act, as well as the months of slow progress towards anti-corruption reforms, pushed Vizcarra to dissolve congress later that day, with Vizcarra stating "Peruvian people, we have done all we could".[1]
Congress declares interim president
Shortly after Vizcarra announced the dissolution of congress, the legislative body refused to recognize the president's actions, declared Vizcarra as suspended from the presidency and named vice president Mercedes Aráoz as the new president of Peru.[1] Despite this, Peruvian government officials stated that the actions by congress were void as the body was officially closed at the time of their declarations.[1] By the night of 30 September, Peruvians gathered outside of the Legislative Palace of Peru to protest against congress and demand the removal of legislators[1] while the heads of the Peruvian Armed Forces met with Vizcarra, announcing that they still recognized him as president of Peru and head of the armed forces.[14]
Aráoz resigns
During the evening of 1 October 2019, Mercedes Aráoz, who congress declared interim president, resigned from office.[2] Aráoz resigned, hoping that the move would promote the new general elections,[2] elections proposed by Vizcarra and postponed by congress.[1]
Vizcarra also issues a decree calling for legislative elections on 26 January 2020.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Peru's president dissolves Congress to push through anti-corruption reforms". The Guardian. 1 October 2019. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Peru's vice-president resigns amid power struggle". BBC News. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Peru's leader names new prime minister as he reforms Cabinet". Associated Press. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d e Briceno, Franklin (27 September 2019). "Peru leader pushes vote that could let him dissolve congress". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Quigley, John (21 March 2018). "Vizcarra Set to Become Peru's New President Facing Daunting Challenges". Bloomberg. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ Taj, Mitra. "Peru president proposes referendum on political, judicial reform". Reuters. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
- ^ Tegel, Simeon (12 August 2018). "Corruption scandals have ensnared 3 Peruvian presidents. Now the whole political system could change". The Washington Post. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Collyns, Dan (10 October 2018). "Peru opposition leader Keiko Fujimori detained over 'money laundering'". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ "Referéndum | Congresistas presentan proyecto para retirar la bicameralidad y no reelección de congresistas". RPP (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ Chávez, Paulo Rosas (23 May 2017). "Martín Vizcarra: entre la reconstrucción y su renuncia por Chinchero [ANÁLISIS]". El Comercio (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 March 2018.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Referéndum | Congresistas presentan proyecto para retirar la bicameralidad y no reelección de congresistas". RPP (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ Briceno, Franklin (9 December 2018). "Exit polling indicates Peruvians vote to fight corruption". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Presidente de Perú considera disolver Congreso si legisladores no aprueban reforma política - Reuters". Reuters. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "PERU'S POLICE AND THE JOINT COMMAND OF PERU'S MILITARY BRANCHES SAY THEY RECOGNIZE VIZCARRA AS PRESIDENT AND THE HEAD OF THE ARMED FORCES AND POLICE-STATEMENTS". Reuters. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)