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News > Latin America

Peru's Workers Vow to Mobilize If Congress Blocks Anti-Corruption Referendum

  • A protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask marches against influence-peddling scandal involving judges, prosecutors, politicians and businessmen.

    A protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask marches against influence-peddling scandal involving judges, prosecutors, politicians and businessmen. | Photo: Reuters

Published 26 August 2018
Opinion

Despite the negations from right-wing politicians, social organizations are threatening to mobilize if no reforms are introduced.

Peruvian social and student organizations are gearing up for a war against corruption in a nationwide push for political reforms amid discussions of an approaching Congressional referendum.

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Peru's President Seeks Referendum On Political, Judicial Reform

At least 24 congressional districts are in support of a prompt government turnover, the general secretary of the Confederation of Peruvian Workers (CGTP), Geronimo Lopez Sevillano, said. Among the changes currently being debated are the return to a bicameral legislature and a reelection of congressional members which would make way for a new Constitutional Assembly.

The referendum proposal comes after an onslaught of corruption was uncovered in the judicial sectors in July which triggered a 90-day state of emergency, while executives cleaned house.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra announced that judicial reforms were in order on Thursday. "We, Peruvians, are tired seeing corrupt judges and we have to change the justice system,” Vizcarra said.

“We need honest people who are going to spend well, we need people who reject corruption (...). They need them to commit themselves to this fight against corruption," he said, announcing his plans to introduce a national referendum.

The initiative has received considerable resistance from far-right parties and politicians who say the changes are not as urgent as Vizcarra would like the public to believe.

However, despite the opposition’s negations, social organizations warn that if Parliament continues to obstruct these necessary adjustments to the judicial system, they will mobilize.

Activist and participant of the Youth Forum, Gabriel Salazar Borja was one of many to show support for the political reforms, saying, "Executive and Legislative should open the information and discuss this third actor, citizenship."

The CGTP will discuss the nation’s judicial crisis with union, social, and working sectors during at the Fourth Macroregional Assembly of the South on Sept. 15, CGTP Spokesman Luis Mamani Mamani said Friday.

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