Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has successfully dodged a recent impeachment attempt over allegations of corruption involving a lavish Rolex and jewelry collection valued at nearly $500,000.
On Thursday, lawmakers rejected two motions to initiate impeachment proceedings against Boluarte. The first motion was turned down in a 49-33 vote with 12 abstentions, while the second was defeated by an even wider margin of 59-32 with 11 abstentions.
Impeachment efforts have become increasingly frequent in Peru, a country that has seen six presidents since 2018. The Peruvian Constitution allows for impeachment based on a vague “moral incapacity” provision, which does not require evidence of legal wrongdoing. Only 87 affirmative votes out of the 130-member chamber are needed for impeachment.
Prior to this, Congress had already dismissed two motions to remove Boluarte from office. She assumed the presidency after her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, attempted to dissolve Congress in December 2022, leading to his arrest and impeachment.
Castillo, a schoolteacher from Peru’s Indigenous community, faced three impeachment attempts before his 2022 move to dissolve Congress. Human rights observers have noted a deterioration in corruption and government repression since his arrest.
Initially, Boluarte indicated that she would push for an expedited presidential election, but Congress rejected at least five attempts to advance the vote. She later changed her position, announcing that she would serve out her full five-year term.
Boluarte has also overseen a significant crackdown on protesters, sparking controversy among…
Source from www.aljazeera.com