Representatives of the Judiciary, the National Board of Justice, the Comptroller General of the Republic and the Ombudsman’s Office have urged this Sunday the President of Peru, Pedro Castillo, to convene the institutions urgently in order to reach consensus among them.
The heads of these institutions –Elvia Barrios, Henry Avila, Nelson Shack and Eliana Revollar– met this Sunday at the Palace of Justice to adopt actions that guarantee the democratic governance of the nation, based on the inter-institutional dialogue and within the framework of the Public Constitution», according to a letter from the Judicial Power.
The president of the country, Pedro Castillo, and the president of the Congress, Jose Williams, were invited to the Council of State by Barrios. However, due to their absence, the judicial powers gathered this Sunday have issued a pronouncement in which they invoke Castillo to promote a space for dialogue.
«We call on the President of the Republic to urgently summon all the powers of the State and constitutionally autonomous bodies to promote a space for dialogue to achieve consensus and minimum agreements to reestablish stability and social peace, within the framework of unrestricted respect for the democratic rule of law and the current constitutional order», reads the text, according to Andina news agency.
In said document, the four public officials of the aforementioned judicial institutions have expressed their concern for the political crisis facing the country, while reiterating their commitment to the defense of the democratic system and dialogue.
Thus, the signatories have pointed out that it is imperative to make the necessary efforts to reach a solution to the crisis, advocating for the union of citizens in defense of democracy.
«Democracy has been built with the effort of all, so that the democratically elected authorities exercise power seeking the common good, putting aside any particular interest», adds the communiqué.
After the call for this session, the Public Ministry informed that the Attorney General, Patricia Benavides, would not participate in the session, arguing that she is in charge of investigations against the President, so participating in the Council of State «would not be appropriate».
Later, on Sunday morning, the Congress notified that Williams would not participate in the meeting of the Council of State because it would require a «previous coordination» to gather the proposals of each one of the parliamentary benches, according to RPP radio station.
However, the Executive did not confirm the participation of Castillo or any representative of the Government. The office of the Presidency informed that the promised dialogue would be only through civil society organizations.
Barrios summoned Castillo and Williams after the President renewed again the Council of Ministers after a loss of confidence by the Chamber of Deputies.
The refusal of the Congress to support the proposal of the now former Prime Minister Aníbal Torres to reform the law of referendum calls, with which the Executive intended to repeal law 31399, a norm that since the beginning of 2022 hinders the calling of a popular vote, generated the renewal of the group of ministers.
