Peruvian President Pedro Castillo will have to face a new impeachment trial

“I’m sorry that the tripping continues and do not listen to the people, because they have just approved the vacancy motion”, Peruvian President Pedro Castillo could not hide his anger after Congress approved a new motion of censure against him. “We have not come to steal a penny from the people. No one distracts us because he who owes nothing fears nothing,” he said, confident that he will pass the test. The threat of his impeachment returns to the center of the political scene. Last December, when he still kept the government coalition somewhat united, he was able to resist the parliamentary onslaught. Analysts are refraining from making projections for the moment, but pessimism seems to be part of common sense at this time.

Since 2018, the motion of censure has become a kind of national sport. President Peter Paul Kuczynski he preferred to resign before being expelled by Parliament. it happened Martin Vizcarra, who also tried the same legislative medicine and was ultimately impeached. Castle must appear next March 28 before the congressmen to defend himself against a second attempt to accuse him of “permanent moral disability“. The president may attend the session or send a lawyer to represent him before the plenary session. 87 of the 130 votes of the congressmen are required to remove him.

Castillo took office on July 28. His management has passed in the midst of constant crises, to the point that he is already in his fourth government. What began clearly as a management leaning to the left has become, after the passage of four prime ministers, in a mandate without ideological direction. Free Peru, the party that allowed Castillo to win the elections last year, is practically out of government. Despite the disagreements with the rural teacher, he has rejected his dismissal.

unpopularity

Each internal shake-up did nothing but deteriorate the image of the head of state. Nowadays, 66% of Peruvians reject their figure, according to the consulting firm Ipsos. What is striking about this poll is that Congress, the scene of a new resistance test for Castillo, has an even worse image than the president: in this case, disapproval reaches 70%.

The presidential vacancy motion has been promoted by right-wing parties and has been based on some “contradictions and lies” by Castillo during the tax investigations that have involved him. In turn, the appointed ministers, the existence of a supposed “shadow cabinet” and the intention of submitting an exit to the sea for Bolivia to popular consultation are questioned. “Mr. Castillo himself has publicly acknowledged that he is not prepared for the job,” said retired Admiral Jorge Montoya, a member of the far-right National Renovation party.

Previous definitions

Before the dismissal is discussed, the prosecution wants to question Bruno Pachecothe former secretary general of the Palace, whom $20,000 was found in a bathroom. Last Saturday, Pacheco, placed in that position by Castillo himself, shared a video on Twitter. “Faced with so much abuse and discredit against me and my family, and now death threats, from which I fear for my life and my integrity, I want to address the authorities and the people in general to say the following: I am willing to be a collaborator with justice and tell the truth in all the cases that are linked to me”.

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For now, Castillo must appear in Congress this Tuesday. His briefing to lawmakers was scheduled before a new impeachment trial was decided. The president of Parliament, María del Carmen Alva, asked the president not to make any reference to what could happen on March 28.

In this context, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)), expressed his “concern about the institutional situation that crosses Peru” and asked that “respect the democratic order and the will of the people expressed in favor of President Pedro Castillo seven months ago”.