Peru‘s prime minister announced on Monday that the government will hold a referendum to propose rewriting the constitution, renewing a campaign promise to increase the government’s role in the economy.
“We have presented to Congress a bill to change the constitution with the goal of convening a constitutional assembly to redact a new constitutional text,” Anibal Torres stated, adding that the process is lengthy and that the public would determine whether or not to convene the assembly.
The government’s declaration reaffirms a campaign pledge made by President Pedro Castillo, which he had all but abandoned in power, and it comes at a time when both he and the country‘s congress are extremely unpopular.
The measure will require congressional approval, and the opposition-controlled Congress is unlikely to approve it.