Peru Congress Opens Vizcarra Impeachment Trial
Umer Jamshaid Published September 19, 2020 | 09:50 AM
Lima, Sept 19 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2020 ) :President Martin Vizcarra remained defiant Friday as Peru's Congress began an impeachment debate ahead of a vote that analysts say he is expected to survive.
"I'm not running. I didn't do it before and I'm not going to do it now," Vizcarra said in a brief statement to lawmakers before leaving his defense to his lawyer Roberto Pereira.
"I propose that the request for impeachment on the ground of moral incapacity be dismissed. It is evident that this motion suffers from a minimum elementary classification of the facts," Vizcarra said as a marathon debate began in Congress.
The heated session was opened by congressional speaker Manuel Marino, who would replace Vizcarra as Peru's leader if the impeachment carries. He began by calling on members present in the chamber to avoid any intolerant gestures towards the head of state, although most of the 130 lawmakers joined the debate by video link due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has taken a heavy toll in the South American country.
Vizcarra has accused Marino of "conspiracy" by trying to secure military assurances for a bid to succeed him.
Analysts said his opponents in Congress are likely to fall short of the 87 votes needed to oust him when the impeachment motion is put to a vote later Friday.
Congress voted last week to open impeachment proceedings against the 57-year-old president for "moral incapacity" over accusations he incited aides to lie to anti-graft investigators.
Vizcarra, in power since 2018, came under fire after leaked audio recordings in which he is heard telling aides to hide details from congressional investigators of his office's controversial hiring of a popular singer as a paid cultural advisor.
Public support for the president and his anti-corruption campaign has been evident in opinion polls, with eight out of 10 Peruvians wanting him to continue until the end of his mandate in July 2021.
"The speed at which this process has been played out reflects a crisis in the institutions," said political analyst Augusto Alvarez Rodrich.
The president's main rival, Keiko Fujimori, has publicly acknowledged that "there are not enough elements" to remove him from power.
"No one wins here, the executive loses as does Congress, because people see there are two branches of government locked in a political battle while a pandemic is killing Peruvians and creating a shocking level of unemployment that will take five years to recover from," said Alvarez Rodrich, as the debate in Congress stretched on for more than eight hours.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan marks World Press Freedom Day
High-level Saudi business delegation due on May 5
Stocks heat up as US labour market cools
President approves Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
Implementation of merit, justice to oppressed segments top priorities: CPO
Overseas Kashmir community delegation calls on AJK President, discusses latest s ..
Govt believes in freedom of press: Amir Muqam
Labour urges UK election after Tory losses
Health authorities asked for action against alleged illegal tenders at Services ..
Spain scraps national bullfighting prize sparking debate
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan visits Rawalpindi ..
ATC extends interim bail of PTI founder in 3 cases
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
23 hours ago -
Experts for ending child labour
3 days ago -
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
3 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
5 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
6 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
6 days ago
-
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
7 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
8 days ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
8 days ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
11 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
12 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
12 days ago