The political reform’s goal is to enhance democracy and institutions, as well as guarantee the competence of those who are elected to represent the population by popular vote, today said Peru’s Prime Minister Ana Jara as she presented different topics, most of them bills in pursuit of a consensus agenda on the matter.
Statements were made at a ceremony chaired by President Ollanta Humala at the Government Palace within the framework of the second meeting for National Dialogue convened by his administration, in which representatives of 15 political parties discussed political reform issues.
The meeting saw the aprticipation of Mesias Guevara (Accion Popular), Cesar Acuña (Alianza para el Progreso), Omar Chehade and Josue Gutierrez (Partido Nacionalista), Juan Diaz Dios and Elard Melgar (Fuerza Popular), Raul Castro (Partido Popular Cristiano), Yehude Simon (Partido Humanista Peruano), Andres Reggiardo (Peru Patria Segura), Marcial Ayaipoma and Luis Thais (Peru Posible), Jose Luna (Solidaridad Nacional) and Fernando Andrade (Somos Peru).
Other participants included Aureo Zegarra (Todos por el Peru), Jose Vega (Union por el Peru), Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (Peru Mas), Rosa Mavila (Ciudadanos por el Cambio) and Guillermo Ruiz (Siempre Unidos).
After thanking leaders for their attendance, Jara stressed the importance of this political dialogue and the consensus to be achieved on issues of national importance.
The political reform is closely related to the strengthening of democracy, because “the more we perfect our systems and processes, the stronger political institutions and better representatives we will have in the three branches of government,” she highlighted to indicate there are different proposals designed to achieve the same objective.
Peru’s Prime Minister presented the proposals to later open the dialogue and listen to the different points of view of political representatives.
Proposals
Isolation pact to counteract defection
It is aimed at forbidding congressmen –who have left their party– to create or join other groups. There are also prevented from being named President of Commission or applying for a post in the Board of Directors.
Guaranteeing competent candidates during election processes
The Executive Branch presented two bills to create a Registry of Legal Reparations debtors, who have committed offenses against the State, as well as a penalty for those who support the registration of political organizations linked to terrorism.
Regulating the loss of a seat at the Congress
The proposal states that every congress member condemned for drug trafficking, terrorism, human trafficking and money-laundering will lose their seat without being replaced by his alternate.
Non-immediate re-election of governors and mayors
According to Jara, the immediate re-election of governors and mayors will be forbidden under this proposal.
Elimination of the preferential vote and gender alternation in the candidates’ list
This initiative suggests to require the country’s political parties to nominate a minimum of 30 per cent of candidates from both sexes and amend article 21 of Organic Law on Elections to eliminate the election of congress members through the preferential vote mechanism.
New Law on the Rights of Citizens' Participation and Control
The bill has four important approaches: the recall of authorities must be carried out in the third year in office, and if observed, the alternates will assume office.
On the other hand, recalled authorities cannot apply for any other political post or fulfill another public function at the institution they used to be part.
In addition, those promoting the recall will have to submit information report to the JNE.
Affidavits
Finally, every candidate in national, regional and municipal elections should submit an affidavit containing, among others, information about criminal records.
(END) NDP/MVF/RMB/MVB
Published: 3/3/2015