Peru lawmakers present new impeachment motion against President Castillo

Hand out photo released by the Peruvian Presidency press office of President Pedro Castillo, announcing on February 4, 2022 his decision to reshuffle his ministerial cabinet in Lima. ALDAIR MEJIA PERUVIAN PRESIDENCY AFP LIMA - Peru opposition lawmakers on Tuesday presented another impeachment motion against President Pedro Castillo, the third formal attempt to oust the leftist leader since he took office last year, calling him morally unfit for office.

The impeachment attempt came amid escalating tensions between the two government branches. Castillo said the legislature is trying to get a coup d'etat against him, while opposition lawmakers say he is trying to illegally shut down Congress.

The motion was presented with the signature of 67 lawmakers out of 130. Peru's Congress has to decide whether or not to proceed with an impeachment trial. The Senate would need 87 votes to remove Castillo from office.

It was not clear when Congress would schedule a session to debate whether or not to accept the motion, given that it was not clear when it would be decided by the right-wing parties.

The allegations of corruption against Castillo have resulted in an untenable, unacceptable point of immorality, according to Edward Malaga, the manager of the impeachment motion against the president, during a news conference.

Castillo, who took office in July 2021, has been besieged by scandals and has survived two impeachment attempts in Congress. He is not charged while he is in office.

He is accused of using the presidency to benefit himself, his family and close allies, among other allegations of corruption. Prosecutors have opened six criminal investigations against him, including one for alleged obstruction of justice in the firing of a former interior minister.

He denies any wrongdoing and has accused prosecutors of being complicit in an attempt to oust him from power.

It is not clear if lawmakers will have enough support to prevail.

The motion came after Congress declined the prime minister's call for a confidence vote earlier this month, which led Anibal Torres to resign last week and sparked a cabinet reshuffle in the country.

Castillo suggested he might have the power to dissolve parliament and call for new legislative elections if Congress gives his new cabinet a vote of no confidence, which has worsened political tensions in Peru.

The opposition has challenged that interpretation, and they say Castillo is looking for an anti-constitutional dissolution of parliament, and they have asked Peru's highest court to weigh in on what interpretation is correct.