Confidence vote could see Peruvian Congress dissolved

Significance

President Martin Vizcarra’s latest challenge to Congress raises the possibility of its dissolution and fresh congressional elections. It follows a recent downturn in executive-legislative relations arising from congressional decisions wholly unacceptable to the executive. Dissolution is the strongest weapon in the constitutional armoury that a president can deploy against a recalcitrant legislature.

Impacts

• The current legislature would normally end on June 15, but Vizcarra could request emergency sessions.
• Public opinion is supportive of the president’s reform agenda.
• There is a possibility that the Constitutional Tribunal will deny the legality of a vote of confidence.