#PERU: New Leftist President To Strengthen Trade Ties With China

[world politics news]

In his first week in office, Peru’s new left-wing administration under President Pedro Castillo has been quick to extend a friendly hand to China, the Andean nation’s most important commercial partner and the main buyer of its copper, a crucial source of tax revenue. 

Since Castillo was inaugurated on July 28, administration officials have met with the Chinese ambassador and Chinese mining executives to discuss not just policies for their industry but also to strengthen a previous free trade agreement first signed in 2009, government sources told media.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#PERU: Leftist Teacher Has Narrow Lead In Presidential Vote Tally

[world politics news]

Left-wing candidate Pedro Castillo has edged into the lead in a dramatic twist in Peru's presidential election.

With 94% of votes counted, Castillo overtook his right-wing rival, Keiko Fujimori, who is running for the presidency for the third time.

He has a lead of 0.1 percentage point, with just over 25,000 votes currently separating the two candidates.

They have both called for calm while the count is under way. This is Peru's most polarized election in recent history.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#PERU: Congress Unanimously Overrides Pension Payout Bill Veto

[world politics news]

Peru’s Congress forced through a pension funds drawdown bill that the government had partially vetoed.

The draft legislation, which lawmakers approved by a vote of 109-0, will result in another outflow of savings from the country’s private pension fund (AFP) system.

Under the rules, members can pull out up to 17,600 soles (US$4,600). Those in favor of the plan argued that people need the funds to help mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. 

The economy ministry said it would propose challenging the law in the constitutional court.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#PERU: In Attempt At Fresh Start, President Calls For 2021 Elections To Be Moved Up To 2020

[world politics news]

Pres. Martin Vizcarra made a surprise, and drastic, announcement at the end of his address to Congress on July 28. Given the continuous tensions over the past year between the Executive and the majority opposition in Congress, and the rampant corruption within the Congress and its protection of a corrupt judiciary, Vizcarra called for 2021 elections to be moved up to next year, 2020. This would have the effect of ending his term a year early.

Vizcarra became president when corruption-tainted Pres. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned last year.


[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#PERU: Former Pres. Toledo Arrested In California On Corruption Charges; To Be Extradited

[world politics news]

Former Peruvian Pres. Alejandro Toledo has been arrested in the U.S. on corruption charges. The former leader is wanted in home country for allegedly taking US$20 million in bribes from Brazilian construction company. Toledo, who has lived in California in recent years, was arrested by US Marshals following extradition request from Peru.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#PERU: Opposition Leader Fujimori Ordered Back To Jail On Corruption Charges

[world politics news]

A court has granted prosecutors' request to detain former presidential candidate and congresswoman Keiko Fujimori for up to three years while she awaits a trial for corruption. Fujimori, who is the daughter of former Pres. Alberto Fujimori, was arrested Oct. 10th and charged with receiving illegal payments from a construction firm. She was later released due to a lack of evidence. Prosecutors resubmitted the evidence to court and she was arrested again, after arguing she was a flight risk.

In 2011, she launched a political party, Fuerza Popular ("Popular Force") with her father's supporters. The  party is now the largest in Peru and holds nearly half the seats in parliament. Fujimori has been defeated in two presidential elections, the latest, in 2016, coming within .25% of victory in a run-off.

In 2017, her party led an impeachment vote against Pres. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, which failed to come up with the necessary votes to remove him from office.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#PERU: Gov't Orders Venezuelan Ambassador Out To Protest Maduro's Constituent Assembly

[world politics news]

The Peruvian government has ordered the Venezuelan ambassador in Lima to leave within five days over a perceived breakdown in Venezuela’s democratic order. Peru said the ouster had followed Venezuela’s failure to respond to a declaration issued by American nations at this Tuesday’s meeting in Lima where they announced they did not recognize President Nicolas Maduro’s new constituent assembly.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#PERU: Daughter of Frmr. Pres. Fujimori Concedes After Losing Tight Pres. Election

[world politics news]

Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of jailed former president Alberto Fujimori, has conceded defeat to conservative Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in Peru's presidential election. Kuczynski won just 50.1% of the vote. Fujimori vowed that her party, Fuerza Popular, would form a "responsible opposition." The margin of victory was 42,597 votes out of more than 17 million cast.

PERU: First Lady Faces Investigation Over Spending [world politics news]