Peruvian Prime Minister Ernesto Alvarez has asked Congress for emergency legislative powers for 90 days to pass laws to address security problems in Peru, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Alvarez made his request in a keynote speech to Congress, in which he outlined the main policy guidelines that the government of new President Jose Herrera intends to follow. Herrera took office earlier this month after replacing the ousted Dina Boluarte.
"The government sees the issue of security as a fundamental issue for the country," he told lawmakers. The speech was delivered before the traditional vote of confidence for each new cabinet in Congress, which must decide whether to vote for it or not.
"The political and moral mandate of this administration is, in the short time it has, to restore the power of the state, restore order to the streets and make the law once again become a means of delivering justice, not of instilling fear," Alvarez said.
On Tuesday, the new government declared a 30-day state of emergency in the capital Lima and the neighboring province of Callao as a measure to combat rising crime.
The worsening crime situation in the South American country has sparked protests by the so-called Generation Z that have shaken Peru and caused a political crisis that led to the fall of Boluarte.