Chile’s House of Representatives early Tuesday approved a political impeachment trial of President Sebastian Pinera, after Pandora’s papers revealed he was linked to the sale of a multimillion-dollar mining project in a tax haven, the islands. Telesur reported that British virgins.
In a day of deliberations that lasted nearly 22 hours, the deputies agreed by 78 votes to 67 against, and three abstained, to refer the constitutional impeachment to the Senate.
The Senate will vote on the impeachment a few days before Chile holds its elections on November 21 to elect the president, members of Congress and members of regional councils.
Representative Jaime Naranjo (Socialist Party) presented the text of the constitutional indictment and established it in a 15-hour presentation.
He stressed that the Chilean president is accused of “openly violating the constitution and laws”, failing “the principle of integrity” and “seriously compromising the honor of the nation”.
Naranjo ended his presentation this way: “I hope this court will agree to the constitutional indictment, otherwise (…) Chile will judge those who allow such impunity in the country,” he affirmed.
For its part, the defense of the President of the Republic urged lawyer Jorge Galvez to reject the accusation text, considering it unacceptable, considering it an institutional blow and an electoral political maneuver.
To be approved, the impeachment motion against Pinera would have required at least 77 votes in the House of Representatives. In the case of the Senate, two-thirds of the vote would be necessary to advance the process against the president.
According to the press, the head of state is currently unable to leave the country, pending the decision of the plenary session of senators.
If the Senate approves the impeachment request, Sebastian Pinera will have to leave the presidency four months before the end of his term. If the presidential vacancy finally occurs, the succession sequence continues with the Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Rodrigo Delgado, who will become the new head of state.
Chile: The House of Representatives has approved the impeachment of Sebastian Pinera | By Pandora’s Leaves | Page 12 https://t.co/eaaKnRonJV
– Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) November 9, 2021
Naranjo has a lot of stamina!! Giving everything in the indictment .. a crusade in defense of democracy and against impunity ✊ pic.twitter.com/Qyzcd8DqHp
– Camila Vallejo Dowling (@camila_vallejo) November 8, 2021
“Award-winning alcohol trailblazer. Hipster-friendly internetaholic. Twitter ninja. Infuriatingly humble beer lover. Pop culture nerd.”