The Peruvian Parliament failed to approve a bill today – proposed by the president Dina Boluarte – which provided for the advance of general elections, in response to the tensions and protests that have been shaking the country for almost two months. A text, supported by the Constitutional Commission of the legislative body, obtained 54 votes in favor and 68 against, while, since it was a constitutional reform, it would have needed 87 – or at least 66 to be able to submit the question to a referendum.
The rejected proposal proposed that the first round be held at December 2023 and the second in February 2024. According to this, the new government and the Parliament would assume their functions starting from 1 April 2024. Faced with this situation, the President of the Parliament, Jose Williamsset a new session to review and vote on a draft advance vote tabled by the left-wing opposition of Peru Libre. The text proposes immediate elections and a popular consultation to create one Constituent Assemblygathering some of the demands of the protest that has been inflaming the country since the day of the dismissal and arrest of President Pedro Castillo.
The protesters, who have repeatedly clashed with the police and have also blocked symbolic places of the country such as Cusco and Machu Picchu, are demanding early elections as soon as possible and the release of Castillo, as well as reforms in favor of the poorest and most forgotten classes .
