With four former presidents accused, Peru wants to end "institutionalized theft"

Peru's chief of staff, Salvador del Solar, called for a vote of confidence from Parliament as the government increased pressure on the opposition to support it. proposals to clean up a political system shaken by corruption scandals.

Addressing parliamentarians on Tuesday before a debate on the confidence motion, Del Solar said corruption cost the country $ 10 billion a year (US $ 3 billion) and undermined public trust in the country. democracy. He called on Congress to support measures to prevent illicit funds from entering electoral campaigns and to change the way in which officials are elected.

"We are here because the politics of our country simply can not continue as it is," said Del Solar, accompanied by his cabinet. "Corruption, which is nothing more than the institutionalized theft of money by all Peruvians, has made us lose confidence in politicians, destroy institutions and discredit politics, it is our duty to change it. "

President Martin Vizcarra launched an offensive against corruption as part of an extensive investigation into bribes involving the country's last four heads of state. A judicial corruption scandal involving several opposition MPs has also increased public contempt for their elites.

In addition to Alan García, who committed suicide at the time of his arrest as part of the investigation into the Odebrecht corruption mega-scandal, four other former presidents were prosecuted in Peru. With Pablo Kuczynski arrested in April, two Peruvian exmandatarios have already been imprisoned. Alberto Fujimori was sent back to prison in January for serving a 25-year prison sentence for crimes against humanity under his government (1990-2000). ). The other two presidents who are under judicial investigation and who are at risk of being behind bars are: Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006) and Ollanta Humala (2011-2016).

Political calculation

In a speech last week, Vizcarra accused the opposition of boycotting the fight against corruption by defending magistrates accused of corruption and blocking reform proposals. The ruling party has only nine of the 130 seats of the unicameral Congress of Peru.

The fate of parliamentarians is linked to that of the current cabinet. Congress voted against a motion of confidence presented by a previous cabinet in 2017 and, in the event of a change in the current, the entire ministerial team must resign and Vizcarra will have the right to dissolve Congress and convene new parliamentary elections.

Del Solar's cabinet is likely to win the vote, but the dispute between the executive and the legislature will continue, suggesting the possibility of early elections, badyst María Luisa Puig of the Eurasia group said in a statement on Monday. note addressed to customers.

S.D.