LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Sunday proposed ending the legislative and presidential terms of office a year earlier than scheduled and holding elections in 2020 in the face of opposition to his efforts to pass anti-corruption measures.

Peru's President Martin Vizcarra delivers his annual address in Congress, in Lima, Peru July 28, 2019. Peruvian Presidency/Handout via REUTERS

Opposition lawmakers immediately condemned the proposal, saying it created uncertainty and fuelled political conflict.

In his traditional independence day holiday speech, Vizcarra said the proposal will be presented to Congress and must be ratified in a referendum.

“I present to Congress a constitutional reform for the advancement of general elections, which implies cutting the congressional and presidential term to July 28, 2020,” he said.

Pedro Olaechea, leader of the opposition-controlled Congress, said the legislature would defend the institutional framework of the five-year term.

“We do not aim to hold on to our positions, but to defend the institution and the legislative power,” Olaechea said.

In June, Peru’s government won a confidence vote that Vizcarra asked for as part of his effort to pressure the legislature into approving a reform package that includes measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing and curbing lawmakers’ immunity from prosecution.

“Our bill proposed that another independent body be responsible for determining whether congressmen may or may not be tried and detained. Where is the confidence that Congress has supposedly granted us to work on anti-corruption policy?” Vizcarra said.

Vizcarra said in his address that many people had told him during his travels through Peru in the last year that they do not feel represented by Congress and asked him to shut it down.

Parties that expressed opposition to the proposal included the right-wing Popular Force party, whose leader, Keiko Fujimori, has been detained in an investigation into alleged corruption.

Lawmakers who support Vizcarra’s government and some independents expressed approval of the idea, however.

A business-friendly former vice president, Vizcarra took office a little over a year ago after his predecessor resigned in disgrace - one of several politicians entangled in a bribery probe involving Brazilian builder Odebrecht.[ODBES.UL] </s> Peru's ambassador to Canada is in line for a promotion — to the presidency.

Martín Vizcarra is headed back to Peru today after President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski offered his resignation Wednesday, ahead of an impeachment vote.

Pressure was mounting on Kuczynski to step down after secretly recorded videos emerged showing several of his allies allegedly trying to buy the support of an opposition lawmaker.

Vizcarra, who has been serving as Peru's ambassador to Canada since October 2017, is also the country's first vice president and is now in line to become Peru's next leader.

"He will be finishing his duties as ambassador today and he's on his way back to Peru," said Natalia Santanilla, executive assistant to the ambassador in Ottawa.

Peru's congress is expected to debate Thursday whether to accept Kuczynski's resignation or proceed with planned impeachment proceedings.

In December, lawmakers initiated the impeachment process over Kuczynski's ties to the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. He was accused of lying about $782,000 in payments his consulting firm received a decade ago from the company.

If Vizcarra and Peru's second vice president decide to resign alongside him — something they have vowed to do in the past — power would be transferred to the head of congress, who would be required to call new elections.

Santanilla said Vizcarra was asked to return to his country on Wednesday and embassy staff in Ottawa were notified Thursday morning.

"I have no idea what's going to be happening in the next days in Peru," said Santanilla, who admitted news of the ambassador's departure came as a surprise.

On Wednesday night, Vizcarra posted on Twitter that he was outraged by the current situation in Peru but, in keeping with his country's constitution, would return home to fulfil his duties.

Meanwhile, the eighth Summit of the Americas is scheduled to take place in Lima on April 13 and 14. Global Affairs Canada was not immediately able to comment on how the situation may affect Canada's plans to attend. </s> Peru's President Vizcarra speaks during a television address to the nation in Lima

LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's Congress was headed toward a confidence vote on the government on Tuesday that was summoned by President Martin Vizcarra in a bid to pressure lawmakers to pass his anti-graft proposals.

Debates began on Tuesday, with a vote expected late in the day. If Peru's opposition-controlled Congress votes "no confidence," Vizcarra could invoke a constitutional measure that would authorize him to dissolve Congress and call new legislative elections.

"It is urgent to save our democracy from corruption. It is urgent to prevent people who are guilty of criminal offenses from representing us. It is urgent to promote the strengthening of political parties," Prime Minister Salvador Del Solar, a Vizcarra ally, said at the start of the debate.

Under Peru's constitution, if Congress fails to grant a vote of confidence in a government twice, the president can dissolve Congress. The current Congress has already issued a vote of no-confidence once during this government -- in 2017, when Vizcarra was vice president.

The heightened tensions between Congress and the president have ushered in a new period of political uncertainty in one of Latin America's most stable economies.

Vizcarra's threat triggered immediate cries of "coup" from allies of opposition lawmakers and could stir some debate over its legality, potentially distracting the government from efforts to mediate disputes over mining and oil operations and to pass a labor reform package.

Vizcarra's proposals include measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing, strengthening political parties and ending parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

But his political reform package has languished in committee discussions and the opposition has shelved or voted down other proposals. </s> LIMA (Reuters) – Peru’s Congress was set to continue debate on Wednesday ahead of a confidence vote on the government called by President Martin Vizcarra as part of his effort to pressure lawmakers to pass his anti-graft proposals.

Debate in the unicameral legislature began on Tuesday and was suspended late in the evening after more than nine hours of argument. It was scheduled to resume early on Wednesday.

If the opposition-controlled Congress votes “no confidence,” Vizcarra could invoke a constitutional measure that would authorize him to dissolve Congress and call new legislative elections.

“It is urgent to save our democracy from corruption. It is urgent to prevent people who are guilty of criminal offenses from representing us. It is urgent to promote the strengthening of political parties,” Prime Minister Salvador Del Solar, a Vizcarra ally, said at the start of the debate.

Under Peru’s constitution, if Congress fails to grant a vote of confidence in a government twice, the president can dissolve Congress. The current Congress has already issued a vote of no-confidence once during this government — in 2017, when Vizcarra was vice president.

The heightened tensions between Congress and the president have ushered in a new period of political uncertainty in one of Latin America’s most stable economies.

Vizcarra’s threat triggered immediate cries of “coup” from allies of opposition lawmakers and could stir some debate over its legality, potentially distracting the government from efforts to mediate disputes over mining and oil operations and to pass a labor reform package.

Vizcarra’s proposals include measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing, strengthening political parties and ending parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

But his political reform package has languished in committee discussions and the opposition has shelved or voted down other proposals. </s> Peru's ambassador to Canada is in line for a promotion — to the presidency.

Martín Vizcarra is headed back to Peru today after President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski offered his resignation Wednesday, ahead of an impeachment vote.

Pressure was mounting on Kuczynski to step down after secretly recorded videos emerged showing several of his allies allegedly trying to buy the support of an opposition lawmaker.

Vizcarra, who has been serving as Peru's ambassador to Canada since October 2017, is also the country's first vice president and is now in line to become Peru's next leader.

"He will be finishing his duties as ambassador today and he's on his way back to Peru," said Natalia Santanilla, executive assistant to the ambassador in Ottawa.

Estoy indignado por la situación actual,como la mayoría de los peruanos. Pero tengo la convicción que juntos demostraremos una vez más que podemos salir adelante.<br>Por ello, regreso al Perú para ponerme a disposición del País, respetando lo que manda la Constitución.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElPer%C3%BAPrimero?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ElPerúPrimero</a> —@MartinVizcarraC

Peru's congress is expected to debate Thursday whether to accept Kuczynski's resignation or proceed with planned impeachment proceedings.

In December, lawmakers initiated the impeachment process over Kuczynski's ties to the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. He was accused of lying about $782,000 in payments his consulting firm received a decade ago from the company.

He remitido al Congreso el original de esta carta, que he transmitido al Perú, renunciando al cargo de Presidente Constitucional de la República. <a href="https://t.co/PHX6ZccU9r">pic.twitter.com/PHX6ZccU9r</a> —@ppkamigo

If Vizcarra and Peru's second vice president decide to resign alongside him — something they have vowed to do in the past — power would be transferred to the head of congress, who would be required to call new elections.

Santanilla said Vizcarra was asked to return to his country on Wednesday and embassy staff in Ottawa were notified Thursday morning.

"I have no idea what's going to be happening in the next days in Peru," said Santanilla, who admitted news of the ambassador's departure came as a surprise.

On Wednesday night, Vizcarra posted on Twitter that he was outraged by the current situation in Peru but, in keeping with his country's constitution, would return home to fulfil his duties.

Meanwhile, the eighth Summit of the Americas is scheduled to take place in Lima on April 13 and 14. Global Affairs Canada was not immediately able to comment on how the situation may affect Canada's plans to attend. </s> Peruvian Prime Minister Salvador Del Solar speaks to Congress as he asks for the approval to reform political bills in Lima

LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's Congress readied itself on Wednesday to take a confidence vote on the government, a vote called by President Martin Vizcarra as part of his effort to pressure lawmakers to pass his anti-graft program.

Debate in the unicameral legislature began on Tuesday and was suspended late at night after more than nine hours of argument. Lawmakers resumed the debate on Wednesday.

If the opposition-controlled Congress votes "no confidence," Vizcarra's cabinet would be dissolved and he could invoke a constitutional measure authorizing him to dissolve Congress and call new legislative elections.

The president's proposals include measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing and ending parliamentary immunity from prosecution. But his reforms have languished in committee and the opposition has shelved or voted down other proposals. </s> Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Duberli Rodriguez's resignation is the latest in a scandal which has rocked Peru

The president of Peru's Supreme Court has resigned amid a widening corruption scandal that has rocked the country's judicial system.

Duberli Rodriguez's resignation follows the release last week of audiotapes suggesting sentences could be bought and judicial influence paid for.

Orlando Velasquez, the president of the National Council of the Magistrature, has also resigned.

The justice minister, Salvador Heresi, was forced to step down on Saturday.

Mr Heresi was recorded arranging a meeting with a Supreme Court judge, Cesar Hinostroza Pariachi, who seemed to be offering to sell favours. Both men have denied any wrongdoing.

On another of the tapes, which were published by a Peruvian investigative website and TV programme, a judge discussed reducing the sentence or declaring innocent a man accused of raping a young girl.

Mr Rodriguez had come under pressure from Supreme Court colleagues to step down and cede his chair to someone untouched by Peru's corruption problem.

He said in a statement: "Given the institutional crisis that the judicial branch is going through, I present my irrevocable resignation from the post." He said the reasons for his resignation would be explained during an extraordinary session of the court on Thursday.

Peru's former president, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, was forced to resign in March after less than two years in office, after it emerged he had undisclosed financial ties to Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

Mr Kuczynski's predecessor, Alberto Fujimori, resigned in 2000 in the wake of a corruption scandal. He was sentenced in 2009 to 25 years in prison but was freed by Mr Kuczynski by presidential pardon in December 2017.

Mr Kuczynski said he was granting the pardon on humanitarian grounds, because Mr Fujimori was suffering from a degenerative disease, but the act sparked protests on the streets of Peru.

Peru's current president, Martín Vizcarra, is expected to serve out Mr Kuczynski's term until 2021, and has pledged to investigate and tackle corruption in the nation's politics.

Mr Vizcarra appointed a committee of six judges to deliver a judicial reform proposal and called an extraordinary session of parliament for Friday to discuss the scandal. </s> LIMA, June 5 (Reuters) - Peru's Congress readied itself on Wednesday to take a confidence vote on the government, a vote called by President Martin Vizcarra as part of his effort to pressure lawmakers to pass his anti-graft program.

Debate in the unicameral legislature began on Tuesday and was suspended late at night after more than nine hours of argument. Lawmakers resumed the debate on Wednesday.

If the opposition-controlled Congress votes "no confidence," Vizcarra's cabinet would be dissolved and he could invoke a constitutional measure authorizing him to dissolve Congress and call new legislative elections.

The president's proposals include measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing and ending parliamentary immunity from prosecution. But his reforms have languished in committee and the opposition has shelved or voted down other proposals. (Reporting by Marco Aquino, writing by Hugh Bronstein; Editing by David Gregorio) </s> LIMA, Peru—Martín Vizcarra, a former ambassador and one-term governor of a small mining state, was sworn in on Friday as the president of Peru, a country in tumult after his predecessor was abruptly forced from office.

Mr. Vizcarra, 55, brings little political experience to the post. But many residents and investors say they hope his reputation as a consensus builder will help ease the political tensions that have hurt one of Latin America’s fastest-growing economies over the last two decades.
President Martín Vizcarra announces that he will present a constitutional reform that calls a snap election for April 2020.