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LATIN AMERICA | 21-07-2021 16:17

Peru president-elect wants government of all political persuasions

Peru's left-wing President-elect Pedro Castillo revealed on Tuesday he would be looking to form a pluralistic government in his first remarks to reporters since his election was confirmed.

Peru's left-wing President-elect Pedro Castillo revealed on Tuesday he would be looking to form a pluralistic government in his first remarks to reporters since his election was confirmed.

The trade unionist's victory over right-wing populist Keiko Fujimori was confirmed on Monday, more than six weeks after the second-round presidential run-off.

"We're forming a working team and I can see that there are people who are pretty interested in supporting this government, from all political persuasions, also people who aren't political that I met today and who are available," said Castillo, who will be inaugurated next week.

"We are putting out a call to all the experts, to the most distinguished and committed people in the country," added the rural school teacher as he left a government building in central Lima.

Castillo's victory was delayed due to a jury review of claims of electoral fraud made by Fujimori, despite observers from the Organization of American States, the European Union and United States declaring the vote free and fair.

Governability will be one of Castillo's great challenges following a polarized campaign in which his opponent repeatedly branded him a communist and tried to discredit him.

"I ask for calm and serenity from the Peruvian people. That's not just the government's responsibility but also that of all Peruvians," said Castillo, 51.

He must soon announce his cabinet and appointments to key ministries.

But his Peru Libre ("Free Peru") party holds only 37 of the 130 seats in a fragmented Congress meaning he faces a challenge in delivering on the promises he made during the campaign, in a country that has been rocked by recent political upheaval that saw three different presidents in power in November 2020 alone.

However, he received a boost from the major business organisation Confiep, which said it was "available for constructive dialogue to achieve inclusive growth for everyone."

 

Alberto Fernández, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner send congratulations

President Alberto Fernández and Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner were among the first regional leaders to send their congratulations to Peru’s new president-elect Pedro Castillo this week, after election authorities confirmed his victory over right-wing rival Keiko Fujimori.

"I want to reiterate my congratulations to Pedro Castillo, the democratically elected and proclaimed president of our brothers in Peru,” wrote the president in a message on Twitter that quoted a previous June 10 post by him sending his best to the Free Peru leader.   “Together we will work for a united Latin America," added the Peronist leader, who was criticised for his initial tweet by the opposition, given a final result had not been issued.

Fernández de Kirchner, Argentina’s vice-president, also posted a message for Peru’s next head of state.

"All our congratulations to Pedro Castillo, who was finally proclaiming today president-elect of Peru. We wish him much success in his management and we send a big hug to the beloved Peruvian people," said the head of the Senate, who served two terms as president from 2007 to 2015.

– TIMES/AFP

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