The bench of Good Government evaluates an alternative to the announced resignation of Jorge Gavidia: his expulsion. Within the Senate group, this possibility gains strength as an eventual response to what they consider an act of “disloyalty” for having supported the request for powers requested by the Government, against the party agreement to abstain.
The sole departure of the senator would imply that the group would remain with six members, although the final composition of the bench would also depend on the decision adopted. Juver Floresanother of a legislator who voted in favor of granting the powers to the Executive.
When consulted by El Comercio, Flavio Figallo, spokesperson for the group in the Senate, stated that the expulsion of Gavidia is a possibility that the Good Government could consider in the coming days.
“Expulsion is a path. Yes, a path. I cannot give you an opinion, because I am in the middle of the matter, but it is one of the possibilities,” he said in an interview with El Comercio.
Figallo did not want to delve into the matter, although he made it clear that the political group considers that Gavidia committed an unfair action that borders on “very great irresponsibility”, despite the agreement reached days before the plenary session of powers.
If this alternative of expulsion is forwarded, the bench would trap the resignation letter that Gavidia seeks to formalize before the National Elections Jury (JNE) to separate himself from the party and the group in Congress.
Specifically, the disciplinary process initiated against the legislator would continue until its final stage, in which expulsion could be considered as one of the applicable sanctions, instead of accepting his resignation. This alternative would be one of the last gestures that the bench would have against the parliamentarian.
At press time, Gavidia had not yet submitted his resignation letter. However, the senator arrived at the headquarters of the National Elections Jury (JNE), in Jesús María, around 5:00 pm, but found the doors closed. After waiting a few minutes without receiving attention, he left.
Sources from El Comercio indicated that Gavidia would formalize his resignation this Wednesday first thing in the morning.
Asked about Figallo’s statements, Gavidia did not hesitate to comment on the Good Government spokesperson. He told this newspaper that his colleague “will always look for something like that,” in reference to continuing with the disciplinary procedure against him that could lead to expulsion.
He maintained that Figallo is “totally annoyed” by his support for the ruling party. Then, he expressed that if the bench wants to expel him “they should find ways” to do so.
“I’m still free. At the moment we are not on the WhatsApp of the bench’s advisors. They were removed from WhatsApp. If they want to expel me, they should find a way,” he added.
Previously, Jorge Nieto, leader of the Good Government, also spoke on the issue. In an interview with Ahora y en La Hora, from Willax, he indicated that Gavidia left his voters deeply disappointed, which is why he feels “co-responsible” for what happened. “That hurts me. We didn’t see that coming.”
Gavidia’s departure began to take shape after an interview with El Comercio, in which the legislator harshly criticized his party and described the abstention as “a mistake” and a “political calculation.” On Sunday he announced his resignation.
Gavidia has already written his resignation letter. Once presented, it must be sent to Figallo, who, in turn, will inform the Chief Official’s Office so that it becomes effective.
If he is separated from the bench due to expulsion or voluntary resignation, Gavidia may join, one time only, another parliamentary group. However, sources from El Comercio announced that the legislator would seek to remain, at least for this year, in the mixed group, that is, without integrating any political bench.
Apart from the Gavidia case, the Good Government will also deliberate on the situation of Juver Flores, who together with his colleague voted in favor of the powers.
Asked if he will resign from the bench, Flores indicated that he will first communicate with the president of his party and then make a decision.
At the same time, sources within the BG expect to hear Flores’ defense in these days and see it as unlikely that he will face any sanction of expulsion or temporary suspension.
The case of Good Government is not the only one. During the Senate plenary session, a senator from the Civic Works Party chose to abstain when her group’s bloc voted in favor. This is Juana Ticona, who represents the Tacna region in the Upper House.
Asked about the situation in Ticona, Daniel Barragán, spokesperson for the PCO, indicated that the situation involving the senator “has been overcome” and that for the moment she will remain in the group.
He denied that he had initiated disciplinary proceedings against the parliamentarian and his act of going against the bloc would have been due to lack of experience in politics.
