Congress: Does the opposition have the necessary votes to censure Hernán Condori?

Two weeks after he was questioned by the Congress of the Republic, the future of Hernán Condori is once again in the hands of the national representation that this time will discuss his censorship. The Minister of Health would leave office after a brief and questioned administration; however, to complete his departure, it is necessary to add 66 votes among parliamentarians. Given the break between benches seen during the vacancy against President Pedro Castillo, it is worth wondering if this time they will win the necessary votes.

The Political Constitution of Peru states in article 132 that a motion of censure requires the support of no less than twenty-five percent of the legal number of congressmen. It should be recalled that collecting the necessary 33 signatures was a problem for the opposition; however, the document was finally supported by members of the Avanza País benches, Popular Renewal, Popular Action, Alliance for Progress, We are Peru, Together for Peru and members of the non-grouped Morado and Podemos Peru Party.

Diego Bazán, member of the Avanza País bench and the main promoter of censorship, said he felt confident that the pro-censorship benches would maintain their position at the time of the vote. He also highlighted the support of congressmen Luque and Bazán, who, being close to the ruling party, have shown their willingness to vote in favor of censorship. “If we don't get those 66 votes tomorrow, I don't know what we're doing in Congress. It would be a shame, they would have to dissolve us by now. We are of no use at all,” said the parliamentarian in an interview with ATV Noticias.

VOTING TO VOTE

Avanza Pais and Popular Renewal have only 19 votes. Despite not signing the motion of censure, Fuerza Popular would have confirmed its support for the measure against Condori. Thus, the 24 votes that the orange bench represents would allow the opposition to reach 43 assured votes.

Other opposition benches such as Popular Action (AP) and Alliance for Progress (APP) would not vote as a bloc. It is known from the latter group that at least a dozen of its members would be in favor of the departure of the Minister of Health. “I have not talked to their spokesperson; however, they have publicly stated it,” said Bazán, who, in addition, said that he hoped that the entire bench will end up supporting the measure presented.

In addition to the 53 votes confirmed so far, those of Ruth Luque and Sigrid Bazán de Juntos for Peru would be added, as well as six votes from the ungrouped, leaving only five more congressmen to vote in favor of censorship. While the seats of Acción Popular and Somos Perú would not vote in bloc, most of its members would be inclined to leave Condori. By getting less than half of the AP congressmen to vote in favor, they would be exceeding the 66 votes required.

“I ask public opinion to be attentive to this vote tomorrow because it will determine who is making a responsible, consistent and politically mature opposition and we are going to realize who is capable of negotiating,” Bazán added to his television appearance last night. The truth is that so far, there have been a considerable number of votes ensuring Hernán Condori's departure from the Ministry of Health; however, given the precedents in congressional votes, it is prudent to wait for the results of the final vote.

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