Peru's government won a confidence vote in the country's Congress on Wednesday after a marathon debate centered on President Martin Vizcarra's effort at passing anti-corruption measures.

The president had asked the opposition-controlled Congress for a confidence vote as part of his effort to pressure the legislature into approving a reform package, which includes measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing and curbing the immunity against prosecution enjoyed by lawmakers.

The vote passed with 77 in favor, 44 against and three abstentions. Debate on the confidence motion had started on Tuesday and lasted for more than nine hours before resuming on Wednesday.

A vote of no confidence would have triggered the disbanding of the cabinet and allowed Vizcarra to call special legislative elections. </s> Peru's President Martin Vizcarra looks on prior a meeting with Colombia's President Ivan Duque at the government palace in Lima, Peru May 27, 2019. REUTERS/Guadalupe Pardo

LIMA (Reuters) - Peru’s government won a confidence vote in the country’s Congress on Wednesday, reviving debate over President Martin Vizcarra’s flagging effort to pass anti-corruption measures.

The president had asked the opposition-controlled Congress for a confidence vote as part of his effort to pressure the legislature into approving a reform package, including measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing and curbing the immunity against prosecution enjoyed by lawmakers.

“This vote now implies the beginning of talks with the government,” independent legislator Juan Sheput told local television, referring to an expected jump start of negotiations over Vizcarra’s anti-corruption programme.

The confidence vote passed with 77 in favour, 44 against and three abstentions. Debate on the confidence motion had started on Tuesday and lasted for more than nine hours before resuming on Wednesday.

A vote of no confidence would have triggered the disbanding of the cabinet and allowed Vizcarra to call special legislative elections. The threat triggered cries of “coup” from political enemies who accused him of strong-arming lawmakers.

Vizcarra called for the confidence vote after the opposition voted down or otherwise blocked his reform agenda.

A business-friendly former vice president, Vizcarra took office a little over a year ago after his predecessor resigned in disgrace - one of several politicians entangled in a bribery probe involving Brazilian builder Odebrecht . </s> Peru's President Vizcarra speaks during a television address to the nation in Lima

LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's Congress was headed toward a confidence vote on the government on Tuesday that was summoned by President Martin Vizcarra in a bid to pressure lawmakers to pass his anti-graft proposals.

Debates began on Tuesday, with a vote expected late in the day. If Peru's opposition-controlled Congress votes "no confidence," Vizcarra could invoke a constitutional measure that would authorize him to dissolve Congress and call new legislative elections.

"It is urgent to save our democracy from corruption. It is urgent to prevent people who are guilty of criminal offenses from representing us. It is urgent to promote the strengthening of political parties," Prime Minister Salvador Del Solar, a Vizcarra ally, said at the start of the debate.

Under Peru's constitution, if Congress fails to grant a vote of confidence in a government twice, the president can dissolve Congress. The current Congress has already issued a vote of no-confidence once during this government -- in 2017, when Vizcarra was vice president.

The heightened tensions between Congress and the president have ushered in a new period of political uncertainty in one of Latin America's most stable economies.

Vizcarra's threat triggered immediate cries of "coup" from allies of opposition lawmakers and could stir some debate over its legality, potentially distracting the government from efforts to mediate disputes over mining and oil operations and to pass a labor reform package.

Vizcarra's proposals include measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing, strengthening political parties and ending parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

But his political reform package has languished in committee discussions and the opposition has shelved or voted down other proposals. </s> Peru’s President Martin Vizcarra scored an important victory for his government’s tough anti-corruption policies Wednesday by winning a vote of confidence in the opposition-controlled Congress.

Vizcarra — who succeeded disgraced ex-president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski a year ago –won by 77 votes to 44 with three abstentions, Congress speaker Daniel Salaverry announced.

Kuczynski stepped down last year following allegations of bribe-taking as part of the continent-wide Odebrecht corruption scandal that has embroiled three other Peruvian former presidents.

Prime Minister Salvador del Solar defended the proposed reforms on Tuesday at the start of a 15-hour confidence debate that resumed Wednesday.

“It is urgent to save democracy from corruption. It is urgent to prevent people who are guilty of criminal offenses from representing us,” he said.

“We have to encourage citizens with a vocation to participate in politics, so that Peruvians can trust the authorities.” </s> LIMA (Reuters) – Peru’s Congress was set to continue debate on Wednesday ahead of a confidence vote on the government called by President Martin Vizcarra as part of his effort to pressure lawmakers to pass his anti-graft proposals.

Debate in the unicameral legislature began on Tuesday and was suspended late in the evening after more than nine hours of argument. It was scheduled to resume early on Wednesday.

If the opposition-controlled Congress votes “no confidence,” Vizcarra could invoke a constitutional measure that would authorize him to dissolve Congress and call new legislative elections.

“It is urgent to save our democracy from corruption. It is urgent to prevent people who are guilty of criminal offenses from representing us. It is urgent to promote the strengthening of political parties,” Prime Minister Salvador Del Solar, a Vizcarra ally, said at the start of the debate.

Under Peru’s constitution, if Congress fails to grant a vote of confidence in a government twice, the president can dissolve Congress. The current Congress has already issued a vote of no-confidence once during this government — in 2017, when Vizcarra was vice president.

The heightened tensions between Congress and the president have ushered in a new period of political uncertainty in one of Latin America’s most stable economies.

Vizcarra’s threat triggered immediate cries of “coup” from allies of opposition lawmakers and could stir some debate over its legality, potentially distracting the government from efforts to mediate disputes over mining and oil operations and to pass a labor reform package.

Vizcarra’s proposals include measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing, strengthening political parties and ending parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

But his political reform package has languished in committee discussions and the opposition has shelved or voted down other proposals. </s> Lima: Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra scored a major victory for his government’s anti-corruption policies on Wednesday, winning a vote of confidence in the opposition-held Congress as the country seeks to emerge from the shadow of Latin America’s biggest graft scandal.

 The president sought the vote after threatening to

 dissolve Congress and force new legislative elections unless lawmakers backed his anti-graft proposals.

 Vizcarra — who succeeded the disgraced Pedro Pablo Kuczynski a year ago — won by 77 votes to 44 with three abstentions, Congress speaker Daniel Salaverry announced.

 “The course we have plotted continues. We continue working and putting Peru first, as always,” Vizcarra said in a tweet after the vote.

 The government is now expected to begin negotiations with the opposition over introducing the anti-corruption reforms.

 They range from cleaning up campaign financing, limiting immunity from prosecution that lawmakers enjoy, and blocking those convicted in court from running for elected office.

 Prime Minister Salvador del Solar defended the proposed reforms on Tuesday at the start of a 15-hour confidence debate that resumed early on Wednesday.

 “It is urgent to save democracy from corruption. It is urgent to prevent people who are guilty of criminal offenses from representing us.

 “We have to encourage citizens with a vocation to participate in politics, so that Peruvians can trust the authorities,” he said.

 Kuczynski stepped down last year following allegations of bribe-taking as part of the continent-wide Odebrecht corruption scandal that has embroiled three other Peruvian former presidents.

 Vizcarra, 56, had been Peru’s first vice-president and ambassador to Canada when he was appointed.

 He used his maiden speech in Congress to deliver a tough anti-corruption message.

 “The time has come to say we’ve had enough” he said, pledging to introduce policies that would punish “any type of irregularity.”

 Shaken by a string of high-profile corruption scandals, Peruvians overwhelmingly approved Vizcarra’s reforms in a December referendum.

 But he has repeatedly clashed with Congress, which is dominated by the Popular Force party of Keiko Fujimori, who is herself in prison pending trial on Odebrecht-related corruption charges.

 Odebrecht has loomed large over Peruvian politics as the Brazilian giant used a massive slush fund to wield influence across a dozen Latin American states.

 It has admitted to paying nearly $800 million in bribes to officials across the continent over more than a decade to win big construction contracts. Odebrecht said it paid 29 million in bribes to officials in Peru alone between 2004 and 2015.

 Prosecutors last month indicted former president Ollanta Humala for alleged money laundering as part of the Odebrecht scandal. — AFP </s> Peruvian Prime Minister Salvador Del Solar speaks to Congress as he asks for the approval to reform political bills in Lima

LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's Congress readied itself on Wednesday to take a confidence vote on the government, a vote called by President Martin Vizcarra as part of his effort to pressure lawmakers to pass his anti-graft program.

Debate in the unicameral legislature began on Tuesday and was suspended late at night after more than nine hours of argument. Lawmakers resumed the debate on Wednesday.

If the opposition-controlled Congress votes "no confidence," Vizcarra's cabinet would be dissolved and he could invoke a constitutional measure authorizing him to dissolve Congress and call new legislative elections.

The president's proposals include measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing and ending parliamentary immunity from prosecution. But his reforms have languished in committee and the opposition has shelved or voted down other proposals. </s> LIMA, June 5 (Reuters) - Peru's Congress readied itself on Wednesday to take a confidence vote on the government, a vote called by President Martin Vizcarra as part of his effort to pressure lawmakers to pass his anti-graft program.

Debate in the unicameral legislature began on Tuesday and was suspended late at night after more than nine hours of argument. Lawmakers resumed the debate on Wednesday.

If the opposition-controlled Congress votes "no confidence," Vizcarra's cabinet would be dissolved and he could invoke a constitutional measure authorizing him to dissolve Congress and call new legislative elections.

The president's proposals include measures aimed at cleaning up campaign financing and ending parliamentary immunity from prosecution. But his reforms have languished in committee and the opposition has shelved or voted down other proposals. (Reporting by Marco Aquino, writing by Hugh Bronstein; Editing by David Gregorio) </s> Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra scored a major victory for his government's anti-corruption policies Wednesday, winning a vote of confidence in the opposition-held Congress as the country seeks to emerge from the shadow of Latin America's biggest graft scandal.

The president sought the vote after threatening to dissolve Congress and force new legislative elections unless lawmakers backed his anti-graft proposals.

Vizcarra -- who succeeded the disgraced Pedro Pablo Kuczynski a year ago -- won by 77 votes to 44 with three abstentions, Congress speaker Daniel Salaverry announced.

"The course we have plotted continues. We continue working and putting Peru first, as always," Vizcarra said in a tweet after the vote.

The government is now expected to begin negotiations with the opposition over introducing the anti-corruption reforms.

They range from cleaning up campaign financing, limiting immunity from prosecution that lawmakers enjoy, and blocking those convicted in court from running for elected office.

Prime Minister Salvador del Solar defended the proposed reforms on Tuesday at the start of a 15-hour confidence debate that resumed early on Wednesday.

"It is urgent to save democracy from corruption. It is urgent to prevent people who are guilty of criminal offenses from representing us.

"We have to encourage citizens with a vocation to participate in politics, so that Peruvians can trust the authorities," he said.

Kuczynski stepped down last year following allegations of bribe-taking as part of the continent-wide Odebrecht corruption scandal that has embroiled three other Peruvian former presidents.

Vizcarra, 56, had been Peru's first vice-president and ambassador to Canada when he was appointed.

He used his maiden speech in Congress to deliver a tough anti-corruption message.

"The time has come to say we've had enough" he said, pledging to introduce policies that would punish "any type of irregularity."

Shaken by a string of high-profile corruption scandals, Peruvians overwhelmingly approved Vizcarra's reforms in a December referendum.

But he has repeatedly clashed with Congress, which is dominated by the Popular Force party of Keiko Fujimori, who is herself in prison pending trial on Odebrecht-related corruption charges.

Odebrecht has loomed large over Peruvian politics as the Brazilian giant used a massive slush fund to wield influence across a dozen Latin American states.

It has admitted to paying nearly $800 million in bribes to officials across the continent over more than a decade to win big construction contracts.

Odebrecht said it paid 29 million in bribes to officials in Peru alone between 2004 and 2015.

Prosecutors last month indicted former president Ollanta Humala for alleged money laundering as part of the Odebrecht scandal.

Humala is the first former president to be indicted in relation to the affair.

Prosecutors have also taken aim at Alejandro Toledo, 73, president from 2001-06, who is facing extradition from the United States. He is charged with pocketing $20 million of Odebrecht's money.

Kuczynski, an 80-year-old former Wall Street banker who was president from 2016-18, was moved to house arrest in May after undergoing heart surgery.

Two time president Alan Garcia (1985-90 and 2006-11) died in April after shooting himself in the head as police arrived at his house to arrest him in connection with the scandal.

Meanwhile, Fujimori -- arguably Peru's most powerful politician -- is serving 36-months in preventive detention, accused of accepting $1.2 million in illicit party funding from Odebrecht for her 2011 presidential campaign.

Her incarceration has seriously damaged her prospects of standing in the 2021 presidential elections she once was favorite to win.

But the taint of corruption in Peruvian politics precedes Odebrecht's involvement.

Keiko Fujimori's father, Alberto -- president from 1990-2000 -- is serving a 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity and corruption.
President of Peru Martín Vizcarra wins a motion of confidence in the Congress of the Republic.