Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

In an effort to make congressional meetings more effective, Peru's president of congress, Luis Gonzales Posada, announced this week that the names of the congressional representatives who were absent or tardy would be posted on a government website.

The decision was finalized after over a dozen politicians were absent the day a new law was to be passed. It was reported that justifiable excuses were not provided.

Authorities have now announced that civil servants that are absent on a regular basis could be replaced.

"The constitution doesn't prohibit a politician from being replaced for disciplinary reasons," affirmed Javier Velasquez Quesquen, an APRA congressman representing the region of Lambayeque.

It has been agreed that a congressional supervisory committee will draw up an official report in which the consequences, fines and punishments for repeatedly being absent will be specified.

Velasquez, the head of the committee, has stated that many politicians feel their duties can come after other responsibilities.

He affirmed that these congressional representatives could be replaced.