By Maria Cervantes
LIMA (Reuters) – Peruvian opposition lawmakers on Wednesday launched a censorship movement to overthrow the government’s economy minister, underlining political tensions as the Andean country approaches its economic decline in decades due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If accepted into Congress and voted through lawmakers, Maria Antonieta Alva, a 35-year-old Harvard-educated civil servant, a key figure in the management of President Martín Vizcarra, would be forced to resign.
Lawmakers discussed the government’s handling of Peru’s mining economy during the pandemic, which hit the South American country very strongly despite a massive bailout led by Alva.
The economy, which fell by 30% this quarter of the year, is expected to contract by 12% this year, the government announced in August, after maximum operations were stopped in March.
Peru has the highest number of COVID-19 infections in South America, Brazil, according to a Reuters count and the worst in the world consistent with the capita mortality rate.
Alva faced a complaint from Congress last week over the government’s economic stimulus package, which is about 20% of GDP, one of the region’s competitive highs.
Critics said the plan, which included social bonds and credit plans for the companies suffering, did not go far enough to small businesses.
(Reporting via Maria Cervantes; Additional reporting by Dante Alva; Written via Cassandra Garrison; Edited via Tom Brown)