The parliament in Peru has rejected a request by President Dina Boluarte to bring the elections forward to next October in view of the severe political crisis. After a seven-hour debate, 65 MPs voted against Boluarte’s motion during the night, 45 MPs were in favor. Two others abstained.
Parliament President Jose Williams received another request shortly after the vote to “review” the vote again. However, it may be difficult to revise the result.
With the elections being brought forward again, Boluarte hoped to end the protests that had been going on for weeks. Last month, Parliament voted by a large majority in favor of snap elections in April 2024. Nevertheless, the protests continued. In response, Boluarte yesterday asked Parliament to hold the election later this year.
State of emergency in one third of the country
Peru has been rocked by serious unrest since the ouster and arrest of left-wing President Pedro Castillo on December 7. In nationwide protests, the demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Castillo’s successor and party colleague Boluarte, the dissolution of parliament in order to hold new elections immediately.
There were repeated bloody confrontations with the security forces, and at least 47 people were killed. A state of emergency has now been declared for almost a third of the Andean country. The demonstrations and road blockades are now leading to shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies in Peru.
Daily 5.7 million euros loss in tourism
The political crisis severely damaged the country’s tourism industry. Since June last year, the losses have totaled the equivalent of 5.7 million euros a day, said Tourism Minister Luis Fernando Helguero. Up to 85 percent of trips have been canceled. Among other things, the minister referred to the situation at the famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, at the foot of which hundreds of tourists were stranded.
Tourism is of considerable importance for the Peruvian economy: It accounts for between three and four percent of the country’s economic output, and people from different social classes work in tourism.