Peru’s parliament votes to impeach President Castillo

101 members of Congress had previously voted in favor of the motion of no confidence, six against and ten abstained. In this case, the constitution provides for Vice President Dina Boluarte to take over the duties. Since taking office a year and a half ago, Castillo has survived two impeachment trials. Castillo’s opponents in Congress accuse him of “enduring moral incompetence” to lead the Andean state.

Vice President Boluarte was sworn in as the first woman to head the South American country on Wednesday. Boluarte called for a political ceasefire to end the crisis and announced the formation of a new cabinet that would represent all political tendencies. She described Castillo’s actions to dissolve Congress a few hours earlier as an “attempted coup d’etat”.

Shortly before the vote, Castillo announced the dissolution of Congress and a new parliamentary election. The head of state said in a speech on Wednesday that he would temporarily dissolve parliament and set up an emergency government.

He had also announced a new election for Congress. The parliamentarians were then to draft a new constitution within nine months. “Until the new Congress begins its work, we will govern by decree,” Castillo had announced.

The President imposed a nationwide curfew between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. and announced reform of the judiciary. “Congress has destroyed the rule of law, democracy and the balance between state powers,” Castillo said. “We call on all civil society institutions and all social groups to support the decision.”

Dissolution of Congress a coup?

Castillo tried to forestall the deputies who were planning a new debate on his impeachment. However, Congress held the vote and voted to remove him.

Deputy Minister Boluarte and the opposition condemned the dissolution of Congress as a coup d’état. The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the National Police also said the dissolution of Congress was unconstitutional.

Numerous ministers resigned after Castillo’s announcement. “Because the rule of law has been violated and in accordance with my democratic principles, I hereby submit my irrevocable resignation as Minister of Economy and Finance,” wrote Finance Minister Kurt Burneo on Twitter.

Foreign Minister César Landa and Justice Minister Felix Chero also made their positions available. Attorney General Patricia Benavides said: “We strongly reject the breach of the constitutional order.”

“Formally it is not a coup”

Eduardo Gamarra, a professor of political science and international relations at Florida International University, said Congress can remove the President and the President can dissolve Congress. “Formally, it’s not a coup,” he said. The confusion lies “in the 15,000 interpretations” of who has priority. Whoever wins is the one with more power, Gamarra said.

The government of left-wing politician Castillo found itself in a permanent power struggle with parliament. Most recently, Congress refused the head of state permission to travel to the Pacific Alliance summit in Mexico, thereby canceling the meeting.

The power struggle in the capital, Lima, comes amid the worst drought in half a century, with thousands of small farmers struggling to survive. In addition, at least 18,000 seabirds have fallen victim to bird flu, and at least one poultry producer has also been affected. Last week, the government confirmed that the country had been hit by a fifth wave of coronavirus.

Since 2016, one political crisis has followed the next in Peru. President Martín Vizcarra, who ruled from 2018, dissolved the congress in 2019 and ordered a new election. The new Congress deposed Vizcarra the following year. The next president, Manuel Merino, was in office for just under a week, and his successor, Francisco Sagasti, was succeeded by Castillo after nine months.

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