Peru President Dina Boluarte Requested To Be Removed from Office by Lawmakers Over Rolex Scandal
Several lawmakers have now submitted a request to Peru's Parliament to remove President Dina Boluarte from office due to her "permanent moral incapacity" due to her being accused of corruption in the ongoing investigation into her "Rolex Scandal."
The group of lawmakers that requested Boluarte be removed from office came from various political parties, including Peru Libre which was the president's former party. They also cited the tax investigation against the current president as well as the rise in crime as the reasons why they are asking for her removal from office.
However, the Associated Press noted that the 130-seat unicameral Parliament of Peru would still have to vote on the measure to expel Boluarte from office, and they need 87 votes to do so. As for the president's chances, five parties have already pledged that they would support her, and so far, they already have 57 votes that could offset the attempt.
Currently, President Boluarte is being investigated because she did not disclose her luxury watch collection when she became the vice president of Peru. She also did not disclose this collection when she became president. Boluarte has since stated that she obtained these luxury watches through her hard work.
These watches that sparked the Dinal Boluarte Rolex Scandal raised many eyebrows in Peru as she was only a modest district official before becoming President Pedro Castillo's vice president. The controversy was sparked by an investigative report into the president's luxurious lifestyle from the Peruvian news outlet La Encerrona.
Peru President Dina Boluarte Rules Out Resignation
Despite the calls for her to resign following the Rolex scandal, President Dona Boluarte is saying that she would not do so and slamming the raids into her home as a "disproportionate" measure and "abusive."
During her press conference addressing the raid on her home, the Peruvian president also noted that she would not resign, telling the reporters gathered, "I took office with clean hands and thus I will retire from the presidency in 2026."
Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen also came to Boluarte's aid, slamming it and saying, "The political noise that is being made is serious, affecting investments and the entire country," adding, "What has happened in the last few hours is disproportionate and unconstitutional actions."
Raids at the homes of Peruvian presidents are not uncommon, as these often happen when they leave office. However, this was the first time that police raided the home of a sitting president.
Peru Bishops Call for Dialogue Amid the Dinal Boluarte Rolex Scandal
During an Easter message to Catholics in Peru, the country's episcopate addressed the ongoing political crisis in Peru, with Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos warning about the "worrisome situations that affect our country, which apparently do not encounter ways to light and hope."
"The recent events related to prosecutors' investigations and judicial decisions, which caused commotion in the nation, represent an opportunity to seriously reflect on the fundamental values that sustain our society, which should illuminate us towards the true path for truth," he added, before calling for a "sincere dialogue" and balance between the different state powers.
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Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Peruvian President Dina Boluarte ordered to present Rolex watches | WION