Lawmakers will elect Peru’s next president after the latest ouster
LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru’s Congress will hold the country’s election Wednesday Eight presidents in ten years to replace a new one Overthrown former leader José JeríFour MPs who are largely unknown to the public are running.
The candidate who receives the most votes will rule the country until July 28, when he will hand over power to the winner of the general elections planned to be held in April.
The revolving door presidency in Peru reflects a political crisis caused by the lack of a legislative majority for leaders. Lawmakers have often used a broad interpretation of the constitutional clause regarding “permanent moral incapacity” to impeach sitting presidents.
On Tuesday, Congress voted to remove Jeri from office after four months on the job. lifting followed the explanations about it Undisclosed meetings with Chinese business ownersincluding a government contractor. Jerí claimed that he was only coordinating a Peruvian-Chinese festival.
The prosecutor’s office opened two preliminary investigations against Jerí for allegations of illegal sponsorship of private interests and influence peddling to the detriment of the state.
Congress announced Tuesday that four candidates have officially registered for Wednesday night’s ballot. The level of support for each was unclear.
The leading candidate is thought to be 58-year-old lawyer María del Carmen Alva, who was nominated by the conservative Popular Action Party. Alva, who previously served as speaker of Congress, comes from a family with significant interests in the agricultural export industry, particularly in companies that ship asparagus to international markets, including the United States.
Another candidate is Héctor Acuña, a 68-year-old engineer who represents the conservative Dignity and Democracy group. He has significant private sector experience but is generally thought to have less traditional political experience than his rivals. He is the brother of César Acuña, a millionaire former governor and presidential candidate for the April 12 elections under the banner of the Alliance for Progress. The party has previously provided significant support to former presidents Dina Boluarte and Jerí.
The other candidates are 83-year-old former judge José Balcázar, who represents the leftist Peru Libre party, and 73-year-old sociologist Edgard Reymundo, from the leftist Bloque Democrático.
Jerí’s successor will face an increase in murders and extortions that continue to devastate small business owners and the working class. Beyond the security crisis, various political groups are demanding firm guarantees for a transparent election in which a bicameral legislature consisting of 130 deputies and 60 senators will also be elected.
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