Peru president proposes referendum on political, judicial reform | world

LIMA (Reuters) – Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Saturday proposed a referendum to gauge support for banning the private financing of political campaigns, ending the re-election of lawmakers and creating a second chamber in Congress.

Addressing lawmakers in his first Independence Day speech, Vizcarra one of the most popular advocates in Latin America's most promising economies.

A referendum would seek voters' input on fast-tracking, a proposed judicial reform, and a rule of law for the exemption of lawmakers from laws banning re-election. A return to bicamerality, which ended when authoritarian leader Alberto Fujimori closed the Senate in 1992, would also be on the ballot, Vizcarra added.

"My government is making a decision to strengthen the state of the criminal justice system," said Vizcarra told lawmakers. "We need the input of all citizens. That's why we are convinced that we are healthy for our democracy. "

Vizcarra did not propose a date for the referendum. But Peruvians will go to polls later in the month of Mayors, governors and other local officials in regional elections.

To form vice president and governor of a small mining region, Vizcarra vowed to fight corruption "at any cost" when he took office in March to replace Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who resigned the presidency to avoid impeachment on graft and vote-buying allegations.

Since then, a second crisis has gripped the nation of 32 million people as it has appeared in the United States of America.

Thousands of Peruvians have taken to the streets in recent days to protest systemic graft, with many calling for fresh elections to purge a political clbad.

A majority of Peruvians now disapprove of Congress, the government, the judiciary and prosecutors, according to a recent Ipsos poll.

"This crisis has reached a breaking point," Vizcarra said. "That's why, as president of the republic, I've decided, with the support of the citizenry, to lead a long exchange of views sought by honest Peruvians."

It was unclear if Congress would give the green light for the referendum to be called. Without lawmakers 'backing, Vizcarra would have to collect hundreds of thousands of voters' signatures of support.