LIMA (Reuters) – The Congress of Peru on Tuesday rejected a vote of confidence to President Vizcarra’s staff leader, forcing a further reorganization of his most sensitive advisers amid an economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Pedro Cateriano, a staff leader, lost a 54-37 vote of confidence after a marathon parliamentary consultation that began Monday morning.
The turmoil throws into disarray the government’s plan to revive the economy of the suffering Andean nation. The 19 cabinet ministers must now submit their resignations to Vizcarra, which has no political party or representation in Congress. A new cabinet must be appointed within 48 hours.
Vizcarra, in a televised confrontation later that day, said lawmakers had prioritized the nation’s self-interest.
“Congress has to raise a new crisis to the detriment of all Peruvians,” he said. “A political manoeuvre that does not seek the well-being of the population will not be accepted.”
Vizcarra said he is preparing a new practice.
Vizcarra had been forced to upgrade more than a portion of his closet in mid-July, as his popularity plummeted due to the harsh economic consequences of the pandemic and a long blockade.
Cateriano, an experienced independent politician, presented an economic recovery plan to Congress on Monday.
Peru, the world’s largest copper producer at the moment, has been affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. It has the 3rd highest number of instances in Latin America, Mexico and Brazil. The economy collapsed as mining production fell.
“This is pride, lack of proposals. People are dying in the country,” José Luna, leader of the Union for Peru party, said after the vote.
Reporting through Marco Aquino; Written through Dave Sherwood; Editing through Bill Berkrot and Leslie Adler
All quotes were delayed for at least 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of transactions and delays.
© 2020 Reuters. All rights are reserved.