CALLAO (Peru), Jan 28 (NNN-ANDINA) — Pres Dina Boluarte urged Congress to approve an early date for general elections so that the Executive Branch can call for this new electoral process.
She asked that Parliament members agree on whether this process will take place this year or in 2024.
“Let the elections be brought forward to the date and time that Congress chooses. Immediately, from the Executive Branch, we will be calling those elections. Nobody has any interest in holding on to the post. I, Dina Boluarte, don’t have any interest in staying longer in the Presidency,” she stated.
She recalled that, given the request to bring the general elections forward from 2026, it was proposed that these be held in April 2024 —a proposal approved by Congress at the first voting session. A second session is yet to be held.
“However, protest marches continue, there are more (road) blockades and violence; and yes, we discussed it with the Justice Minister (Jose Tello) and the Prime Minister (Alberto Otarola). Then, we submitted for consideration the bill to bring them (elections) forward to December 2023,” she specified.
Therefore, the top official called on Congress members to reach a consensus, even more so when parties Fuerza Popular (Popular Force) and Alianza para el Progreso (Alliance for Progress) propose holding the general elections at the end of this year.
“I am here because I assumed a constitutional responsibility, and I will be (in office) until Congress sets a date.
Therefore, I ask you to agree, set the date for elections. At that moment, we will be calling elections so that the people elect new Congress members and the new presidential formula freely and democratically, without blackmail,” she said.
The Head of State also reminded citizens that she presides over a Transition Government. Therefore,“it doesn’t want to perpetuate itself in power.”
Moreover, President Boluarte specified that bringing the general elections forward “might serve as an experience to know who are elected to the highest positions in the country.”
Boluarte on Friday morning participated in the ceremony marking the shipment of medicines and medical equipment to Apurimac region. The activity was held at Air Group No. 8 in Callao region.
Participating in the event were Minsters Jorge Chavez Cresta (Defense), Alfonso Adrianzen (Labor-Employment Promotion), and Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud) Executive-President Aurelio Orellana.
The shipment of supplies, such as food and medicines, to various areas of the country has been a constant activity on the part of this administration, given road blockades that prevent the arrival and departure of basic goods.
Last Thursday, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola traveled to Puerto Maldonado (Madre de Dios region) where he brought food and other medical supplies. — NNN-ANDINA
