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BCN-01
PERU-POLITICS-ECONOMY
Peru economy minister survives congress censure vote
LIMA, Sept 16, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Peru’s economy minister survived a censure
motion in Congress on Tuesday, easing some of the pressure on President
Martin Vizcarra days ahead of an impeachment vote in the same chamber.
Maria Antonieta Alva won a reprieve after lawmakers voted against her
removal over her handling of the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.
“46 voted in favor, 73 against with 3 abstentions. Consequently the motion
of censure has been rejected,” Congress speaker Manuel Marino said after a
five-hour debate.
Alva, a 35-year-old economist seen as a star member of Vizcarra’s cabinet,
had come under opposition pressure after months of economic crisis which has
seen Peru’s second-quarter GDP slashed by 30 percent.
Lawmakers who criticized her recovery plan needed 66 votes to carry the
motion and oust her from office.
The South American country has the world’s highest per capita death rate
from the coronavirus.
Alva’s survival was a victory for Vizcarra, who faces an impeachment vote
on Friday over allegations he incited aides to lie to anti-graft
investigators.
He pushed back against his opponents on Monday, going on television to
insist he was victim of a conspiracy after an anti-corruption crusade that
has put him and his minority government at loggerheads with Congress.
Vizcarra’s four predecessor’s have all been investigated for corruption.
Vizcarra, 57, succeeded Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in March 2018 after he
resigned ahead of an impeachment vote brought after he became embroiled in
the giant Odebrecht scandal.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0844 hrs