- Title: Political tensions erupt in Peru amid vote of confidence on new cabinet
- Date: 26th August 2021
- Summary: LIMA, PERU (AUGUST 26, 2021) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS REPORTEDLY LINKED TO THE OPPOSITION FACING OFF WITH RIOT POLICE NEAR CONGRESS VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS OF RIVAL POLITICAL PARTIES SCUFFLING RIVAL PROTESTERS GATHERED NEAR EACH OTHER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPPOSITION SUPPORTER, MADELEINE SANCHEZ, SAYING: "We don't want a vote of confident, we want a vacancy, because there is an apologist for terrorism. We defend democracy and freedom. We can't allow terrorists to govern us." PROTESTERS LINKED TO OPPOSITION GATHERED, PLACARD WITH ANTI GOVERNMENT MESSAGE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS PROTESTING PROTESTER ON MEGAPHONE CHANTING: (Spanish) "THE PEOPLE UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED" GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS MARCHING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) GOVERNMENT SUPPORTER, HENRY ISIDRO, SAYING: "They (Congress members) are referred to as fathers of the homeland and what they want to do is impose a change of ministers on our President (Pedro Castillo). If the President comes in to government, then let him come in with his ministers. That is why I am here, in support of the vote of confidence for (Prime Minister Guido) Bellido and his ministers."
- Embargoed: 9th September 2021 20:36
- Keywords: Congress Lima Peru politics vote
- Location: LIMA, PERU
- City: LIMA, PERU
- Country: Peru
- Topics: South America / Central America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001ERX3DJB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Tensions boiled over on the streets of Lima on Thursday (August 26) as Peru's Congress readies for a vote of confidence for the new Cabinet of leftist President Pedro Castillo.
Castillo took office last month after a deeply divisive battle against right-wing rival Keiko Fujimori. He was declared the winner of the June 6 election by a margin of just 44,000 votes, or a difference of 0.25 percentage point. This week's vote of confidence is a key test for his presidency.
In a speech before the vote, Bellido outlined the government's plans to lift Peru out of "one of the most grave political, social, environmental and health crises of recent decades" and appealed to rival parties to set aside their differences to work together for the nation's well-being.
Bellido also spoke in the indigenous Quechua language, with some opposition lawmakers calling for him to speak in Spanish.
In a speech before the vote, Bellido outlined the government's plans to lift Peru out of "one of the most grave political, social, environmental and health crises of recent decades" and appealed to rival parties to set aside their differences to work together for the nation's well-being.
He said Peru will step up efforts to purchase COVID-19 vaccines and asked for legislative powers for the executive on tax matters.
He said the government intends to tap the excess profits of mining companies at times of high international prices of raw materials. Peru is the world's second-largest copper producer and mining is the engine of the Andean country's economy.
Among projects the government would push, he added, was a railway running from the Andes to the Pacific to carry passengers and mining goods, to be funded through a public-private alliance with international partners.
Bellido, who is also Cabinet chief, addressed Congress amid calls for his resignation and those of other members of the government who are seen as closest to the most radical wing of the ruling Marxist party Peru Libre, which brought Castillo to power in July.
He faces an investigation of an alleged "apology for terrorism" over old Facebook posts in which he appeared to defend a former rebel from the Shining Path Maoist group. Bellido denies the accusation and no charges have been filed.
Government sources had suggested that Castillo would seek to reshuffle his Cabinet in a bid to stave off its rejection by Congress. The congressional vote on the Cabinet is expected to occur late on Thursday afternoon, according to lawmakers.
In the not unlikely event that the Cabinet is rejected by the centre-right coalition that runs Peru's Congress, the mining country could face a fresh political crisis. Should its lawmakers then reject a second Cabinet drawn up by Castillo, he would then have the option to close Congress.
(Production: Carlos Valdez, Paul Vieira) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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