Parliament has the same level of disapproval as 30 years ago. But the head of state does not enjoy the popular support that Fujimori had in 1992 and, even less, he does not seem to have the backing of the armed forces.
Like Alberto Fujimori on April 5, 1992, the president of Peru, Pedro Castillo, announced the closure of Congress, with the argument that, without its own majority, it could not govern. Although true in both circumstances, in both cases there were no legal instruments that would allow them to take that measure.
The self-coup of Peru in 1992, also called “Fujimorazo”, dissolved congressintervened the Judiciary, the National Council of the Magistracy, the Court of Constitutional Guarantees, the Public Ministry and the Comptroller General of the Republic.
Also, there was persecution of members of the opposition and kidnapping of people. According to surveys at the time, 82% of the population supported this measure due to the discredit of Parliament.
According to Fujimori, Congress was unable to agree on issues related to the fight against Sendero Luminoso, with many of the key sessions failing to reach a sufficient quorum to pass laws. Fujimori considered Parliament, then, as a “filibuster Congress”.
With an evident tremor in his hands, Castillo announced that he also dictates “to call elections for a new Congress with constituent powers in the shortest possible time.” to prepare a new Constitution within a period not exceeding 9 months“.
The same plan of Fujimori in 1992, which he materialized in 1993 with the plebiscite that consecrated the current Constitution, with a unicameral congress, one of the great obstacles that governability has in the country.
Today, Congress also has the same level of disapproval as it did 30 years ago. But Castillo does not enjoy the popular support that Fujimori had in 1992 and, even less, does not appear to have the backing of the armed forces to sustain a measure of this nature.
Within hours of Congress dealing with the third impeachment request, Castillo – harassed by more and more allegations of corruption not only towards him but towards his entourage – made a move that could cost him dearly. Not only can Congress ignore the presidential decision, but, now yes, can have arguments to “empty” it for violating the Constitution.
Although left-wing MPs were unwilling to support his dismissal for “permanent moral incapacity”It is not clear now that they can continue to support a president who took away one of the powers of the State by dissolving Congress and decreeing a state of emergency, in addition to announcing that he will govern by decree.
Even the Peruvian Ministers of Economy, Foreign Affairs and Labor announced their resignation. Through their respective Twitter accounts, the holders of these portfolios, Kurt Burneo, César Landa and Alejandro Salas, respectively, announced their decision to leave the Executive, alleging their “adherence to democratic” and constitutional values.
A coup that will be difficult to sustain and justifynot only in Peru, but in the region.
For months, the vice president, Dina Boluarte, has distanced herself from the president and could be, by decision of Congress, the successor if they decide to ignore the actions of the head of state.