Peru’s President Dissolves Parliament and Announces Snap Elections

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The president of the Republic, Martín Vizcarra, announced on Monday afternoon the dissolution of Congress after it elected Gonzalo Ortiz de Zevallos Olaechea as a new member of the Constitutional Court.

“Faced with the factual rejection of the matter of trust and unrestricted respect for the Political Constitution of Peru, I have decided to constitutionally dissolve Congress and call for parliamentary elections,” he said.

During a message to the nation, the head of state denounced the “political ploys and tricks” used by Congress, which he accused of being “estranged from the will of Peruvians”. “It is clear that obstruction and shielding continue and there will be no possible agreement,” he said.

In addition, Martin Vizcarra explained that his decision is within his powers contained in the Magna Carta.

“The closing of Parliament seeks to provide a democratic and participatory solution to a problem that the country has been carrying for more than three years, ending this stage of political entrapment that has prevented it from growing at the pace of its potential,” he said.

The president also said he hopes that this exceptional measure will allow citizens to express themselves and define the future of the country in the next elections, which “is now making history and this moment will be remembered by future generations”.

“When they do so, I hope they will remember the magnitude of this struggle, which is against one of the endemic ills that has caused so much damage to Peru and that has not allowed it to grow as it deserves and as all Peruvians deserve,” he said.

President Vizcarra, had pointed out the day before that he would dissolve Congress should it deny him a vote of confidence to change the system for election of judges of the Constitutional Court .