Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra has pushed back against his opponents, days ahead of an impeachment vote, accusing Congress Chief Manuel Merino of “conspiracy” by trying to secure military assurances for a bid to oust him.
This comes after congress voted on September 11, 2020, to open impeachment proceedings against Vizcarra over accusations that he incited aides to lie to anti-graft investigators.
Going on the offensive, Vizcarra’s government has also filed a lawsuit with the country’s top court to block the vote due on Friday. “We have proceeded to present a lawsuit by the executive against the Congress,” on the grounds the legislature had exceeded its power in seeking to remove Vizcarra, Justice Ministry lawyer Luis Alberto Huerta told reporters in Lima.
In his own defense, Vizcarra went on television to insist he was a victim of a conspiracy after an anti-corruption crusade that has put him and his minority government at loggerheads with Congress. “Why has the president of Congress communicated with top military officials, and even planned pseudo-cabinets who would take over?” Vizcarra asked. “That is a conspiracy, gentlemen.”
Vizcarra, in power since 2018, came under fire after leaked audio recordings in which he is heard telling aides to hide details of his office’s controversial hiring of a popular singer as a paid cultural advisor.
“It makes me sad and, in addition to the disappointment, I regret to say that this is a situation of a personal nature that has transcended the political scene and been taken advantage of by obscure characters,” Vizcarra said while offering his apologies for the way the case has escalated over time.
What does Peruvian Law Say?
Eloy Espinosa Saldana, one of seven judges in the Peruvian Constitutional Court, told Peru’s America TV the court has “the power to block the impeachment process if we consider that there are elements or indications, of a violation of competences” of the Congress.
Vizcarra’s opponents need 87 votes in the 130-member legislature to oust him.
