On March 19, the Executive presented the country with a series of proposals to be evaluated ahead of a proposed political and constitutional reform. The bills, yet to be introduced to Congress, center around four themes: political parties and representative movements; the fight against corruption and improved accountability; governance at the national and sub-national levels; and improved citizen participation. The Executive recommended Congress pass the bills this year.

After two months of work, the High Level Commission for political reform released a report that analyzes the current situation in Peru and presents twelve bills, following the guidelines of President Martín Vizcarra. Among the report’s proposals to “contribute to political as well as economic growth”, the following stand out: returning to a bicameral Congress, defining a new model of internal elections, prohibiting the candidacy of accused even if unsentenced individuals, and establishing that it is the Supreme Court, and no longer Congress, that decides on the lifting of parliamentary immunity.

According to Fernando Tuesta, chairman of the working group, the twelve bills – four of which entail constitutional reforms – should be analyzed by Congress as “an integral reform and not as a list of actions”. At the same time, he indicated that although the return to bicameralism was rejected in the December 9 referendum, the Executive considers that this reform “is the best for the country” and that, according to the latest polls the population would be willing to accept it if there is no re-election of current parliamentarians.

This initiative will continue to be analyzed by the Executive before being introduced to Congress through bills. However, the working group urged Congress to pass the bills that do not require a constitutional reform this year, so that the proposed regulations can be implemented for the 2021 General Elections.