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'''Vicente Antonio Zeballos Salinas''' (born 10 May 1963) is a Peruvian politician and, following the resignation of [[Salvador del Solar]] in 30 September 2019, is the current [[Prime Minister of Peru]]. He was previously the [[Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (Peru)|Minister of Justice]] from 2018 to 2019.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |title=PERU'S VIZCARRA SWEARS IN JUSTICE MINISTER VICENTE ZEBALLOS AS HIS NEW PRIME MINISTER |url=https://news.yahoo.com/perus-vizcarra-swears-justice-minister-013955621.html |accessdate=1 October 2019 |work=[[Yahoo News]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=30 September 2019}}</ref>
'''Vicente Antonio Zeballos Salinas''' (born May 10, 1963) is a [[Peruvian]] politician who has served as [[Prime Minister of Peru]] since September 2019.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |title=PERU'S VIZCARRA SWEARS IN JUSTICE MINISTER VICENTE ZEBALLOS AS HIS NEW PRIME MINISTER |url=https://news.yahoo.com/perus-vizcarra-swears-justice-minister-013955621.html |accessdate=1 October 2019 |work=[[Yahoo News]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=30 September 2019}}</ref>


He began his political career as mayor of the provincial municipality of [[Mariscal Nieto Province|Mariscal Nieto]] in Moquegua (2003-2006).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-conoce-perfil-del-nuevo-ministro-justicia-vicente-zeballos-718304.aspx|title=Conoce el perfil del nuevo ministro de Justicia, Vicente Zeballos|last=PERÚ|first=Empresa Peruana de Servicios Editoriales S. A. EDITORA|website=andina.pe|language=es|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref> Subsequently he was elected in 2011 as a legislator for the [[National Solidarity Party (Peru)|Partido Solidaridad Nacional]] representing [[Moquegua]] in the [[Congress of the Republic of Peru|national congress of Peru]]. Zeballos was reelected as a congressional legislator in the 2016 national elections, running in this occasion as a member of the new [[Peruvians for Change|Peruanos Por el Kambio]] party. He left the PPK party at the end of 2017 to protest the pardon granted to ex-president [[Alberto Fujimori]] by the leader of the party and then-president of Peru [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/1162118-vicente-zeballos-tambien-renuncia-a-bancada-de-ppk-tras-indulto/|title=Vicente Zeballos también renuncia a bancada de PPK tras indulto|last=LR|first=Redacción|date=2019-05-28|website=larepublica.pe|language=es|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref>
Born in the southern region of [[Tacna]], Zeballos began his political career as mayor of [[Mariscal Nieto Province|Mariscal Nieto Province]] in [[Moquegua]], from 2003 to 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-conoce-perfil-del-nuevo-ministro-justicia-vicente-zeballos-718304.aspx|title=Conoce el perfil del nuevo ministro de Justicia, Vicente Zeballos|last=PERÚ|first=Empresa Peruana de Servicios Editoriales S. A. EDITORA|website=andina.pe|language=es|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref> Subsequently he was elected to Congress in for the [[National Solidarity Alliance]], representing [[Moquegua]] and [[Union for Peru]]. Zeballos was reelected in 2016, running in this occasion as an independent within [[Peruvians for Change]]. He left the parliamentary caucus in December 2017, in protest to the pardon granted to former president [[Alberto Fujimori]] by the leader of the party and then-[[president of Peru]], [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/1162118-vicente-zeballos-tambien-renuncia-a-bancada-de-ppk-tras-indulto/|title=Vicente Zeballos también renuncia a bancada de PPK tras indulto|last=LR|first=Redacción|date=2019-05-28|website=larepublica.pe|language=es|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref>


In [[Martín Vizcarra]]'s administration, Zeballos was appointed Minister of Justice and Human Rights, serving in the position until his appointment as Prime Minister after [[Salvador del Solar]]'s resignation due to the denied confidence given by Congress, prompting its constitutional dissolution. His tenure has been marked by controversy and subject of extensive media scrutiny regarding his management skills.
⚫
== Premiership ==
⚫
On September 30, 2019, following the disputed attempt by Congress pass a no-confidence motion concerning the then Prime Minister [[Salvador del Solar]], Zeballos was sworn as the new[[President of the Council of Ministers of Peru | President of the Council of Ministers]] (Prime Minister).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2019/10/01/martin-vizcarra-vicente-zeballos-asume-el-cargo-de-presidente-del-consejo-de-ministros-salvador-del-solar/|title=Vicente Zeballos asume el cargo de presidente del Consejo de Ministros|last=LR|first=Redacción|date=2019-10-01|website=larepublica.pe|language=es|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gob.pe/institucion/pcm/noticias/52006-vicente-zeballos-juro-como-nuevo-presidente-del-consejo-de-ministros|title=Vicente Zeballos juró como nuevo presidente del Consejo de Ministros|website=www.gob.pe|language=es|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> <ref> {{Cite web|url=https://amp.notimerica.com/politica/noticia-peru-vicente-zeballos-jura-cargo-nuevo-primer-ministro-peru-renuncia-salvador-solar-20191001041415.html|title=Vicente Zeballos jura el cargo como nuevo primer ministro de Perú tras la renuncia Salvador del Solar|last=|first=|date=|website=amp.notimerica.com|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-02-14}} </ref> The decree dissolving the National Congress was the first law signed by President Vizcarra and Zeballos as prime minister. <ref> [https://diariocorreo.pe/amp/politica/martin-vizcarra-gobierno-publica-decreto-que-dispone-cierre-del-congreso-913874/ Martín Vizcarra: Government published decree that provides for dissolution of Congress] </ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2019/10/01/cierre-del-congreso-martin-vizcarra-este-es-el-decreto-supremo-que-ordena-la-disolucion/|title=Este es el Decreto Supremo que ordena la disolución del Congreso|last=LR|first=Redacción|date=2019-10-01|website=larepublica.pe|language=es|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
⚫
On October 30, 2019 Zeballos presented, together with President Martín Vizcarra, the main policies that his administration would advance in the following months: universal access to health services, an increase in the national minimum wage, fighting against violence against women, promoting public safety and education, and constructing two large airports. <ref> [https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/ejecutivo-presenta-plan-de-trabajo-y-medidas-del-gabinete-ministerial-martin-vizcarra-vicente-zeballos-disolucion-del-congreso-noticia/%3foutputType=amp Martín Vizcarra y Vicente Zeballos presentaron plan de trabajo y medidas del Gabinete Ministerial]</ref><ref>[https://www.gob.pe/institucion/pcm/noticias/65879-vicente-zeballos-presento-plan-de-trabajo-y-medidas-del-gabinete-ministerial Vicente Zeballos presentó Plan de Trabajo y Medidas del Gabinete Ministerial]</ref><ref>[https://www.americaeconomia.com/economia-mercados/finanzas/gobierno-de-peru-presenta-plan-de-trabajo-que-incluye-un-nuevo-sueldo Gobierno de Perú presenta plan de trabajo que incluye un nuevo sueldo mínimo para 2020]</ref> Prior to this, the government had declared that after the dissolution of Parliament it would not be appropriate to present the measures of the ministerial cabinet before the [[Permanent Commission of the Congress of the Republic of Peru | Permanent Commission of the Congress]], which had limited functions. <ref> [https://larepublica.pe/politica/2019/10/25/vizcarra-nego-que-corresponda-entregar-el-plan-de-trabajo-del-gabinete-ante-la-comision-permanente-congreso-elecciones-2020-pcm/%3foutputType=amp Vizcarra negó que corresponda entregar el plan de trabajo del Gabinete ante la Comisión Permanente]</ref><ref>[https://caretas.pe/politica/martin-vizcarra-niega-que-corresponda-entregar-el-plan-de-trabajo-del-gabinete-a-la-comision-permanente/amp/Martín Vizcarra: «Se va a presentar este plan de trabajo, pero, no corresponde hacerlo ante la Comisión Permanente»]</ref><ref>[https://amp.rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/disolucion-de-congreso-martin-vizcarra-no-corresponde-presentar-el-plan-de-gobierno-ante-la-comision-permanente-noticia-1226477 Vizcarra: No corresponde presentar el Plan de Gobierno ante la Comisión Permanente]</ref><ref>[https://diariocorreo.pe/amp/politica/martin-vizcarra-dijo-que-no-corresponde-presentar-plan-de-gobierno-ante-comision-permanente-disolucion-congreso-918911/Martín Vizcarra: Plan de Zeballos no corresponde presentarlo ante Comisión Permanente]</ref>
Vicente Antonio Zeballos Salinas was born on May 10, 1963, in [[Tacna]], [[Peru]], but was raised in the city of [[Moquegua]]. He completed his high school education at the Simón Bolivar School of Moquegua.


He enrolled in the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega University, where he studied law and political science, attaining a law degree. He specialized in constitutional law at the Center for Constitutional Studies in [[Madrid]], [[Spain]]. He pursued a PhD in constitutional law at the [[Complutense University of Madrid]], but did not complete the degree.
⚫
==== Controversies ====

==Career==
Zeballos started his political career by running for the [[Peruvian Congress]] in 2001 with the [[Union for Peru]] party representing the [[Moquegua]] constituency. Although not elected, he gained prominence in his region, gaining the mayorship of the [[Mariscal Nieto Province]] in 2002. He ran for reelection in 2006 and 2010, but was not elected.<ref>https://infogob.jne.gob.pe/Politico/FichaPolitico/vicente-antonio-zeballos-salinas_procesos-electorales_R8wCzHCMq94c6+@0ElOxMA==wH</ref>

===Peruvian Congress (2011-2019)===

In late 2010, former mayor [[Luis Castañeda]] of [[Lima]] started his full-scale presidential campaign. Recruiting regional leaders around the country, Zeballos was selected to run for Congress in the [[National Solidarity Alliance]], which grouped [[Union for Peru]] in coalition with the [[National Solidarity Party]], [[National United Renaissance|Always Together]] and [[Change 90]]. The alliance would attain 9 seats in Congress, with Zeballos elected representing [[Moquegua]] for the 2011-2016 term.<ref>https://infogob.jne.gob.pe/Politico/FichaPolitico/vicente-antonio-zeballos-salinas_procesos-electorales_R8wCzHCMq94c6+@0ElOxMA==wH</ref>

In his term in office, he was considered a swing vote among regional representatives. He ran for the [[President of the Congress of Peru|Presidency of Congress]] in 2015, losing to opposition congressman [[Luis Iberico Núñez]].<ref>https://www.tvperu.gob.pe/noticias/politica/vicente-zeballos-saludo-eleccion-de-luis-iberico-como-presidente-del-congreso</ref>

In 2016, he was invited to run for reelection under the [[Peruvians for Change]] congressional list of the [[Moquegua Region]]. He was successfully reelected for the 2016-2021 term.<ref>https://infogob.jne.gob.pe/Politico/FichaPolitico/vicente-antonio-zeballos-salinas_procesos-electorales_R8wCzHCMq94c6+@0ElOxMA==wH</ref> Serving in the cabinet as Minister of Justice and Human Rigths, his term would be shortened due to the [[2019–2020 Peruvian constitutional crisis|dissolution of Congress]] issued by president Vizcarra on September 30, 2019.

===Minister of Justice and Human Rights (2018-2019)===
On July 21, 2018, president [[Martín Vizcarra]] appointed him [[Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (Peru)|Minister of Justice]], replacing the disgraced [[Salvador Heresi]], who resigned amidst the political scandal involving the Supreme Court Justice, César Hinostroza.<ref>https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/salvador-heresi-renuncio-ministerio-justicia-revelarse-audio-juez-hinostroza-238410-noticia/ </ref>

During his tenure, he was questioned before Congress twice. On March 14, 2019, with 8 votes in favor, 24 against, and one abstention, Congress approved the admission of a motion for appeal against Zeballos for him to report on the terms of the collaboration agreement with the Brazilian company [[Odebrecht]], which was signed with the Public Ministry and the Attorney General.<ref>https://peru21.pe/politica/pleno-aprobo-mocion-interpelacion-ministro-vicente-zeballos-nndc-465683-noticia/?outputType=amp</ref><ref>https://amp.rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/vicente-zeballos-congreso-admitio-mocion-de-interpelacion-al-ministro-de-justicia-noticia-1185974</ref> On August 15, 2019, Congress voted on the admission of a second motion for appeal against the minister to respond to the escape of the hitman William Moreno (a.k.a. "Goro"), hitman from former Governor of [[Ancash]], César Álvarez's criminal network, and implicated in the death of former regional councilman, Ezequiel Nolasco and Hilda Saldarriaga.<ref>https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-congreso-aprueba-interpelar-al-ministro-vicente-zeballos-por-fuga-goro-763596.aspx</ref><ref>https://amp.rpp.pe/politica/congreso/congreso-interpelar-al-ministro-de-justicia-vicente-zeballos-por-la-liberacion-del-sicario-goro-noticia-1214610</ref><ref>https://peru21.pe/politica/ezequiel-nolasco-goro-congreso-aprueba-interpelar-vicente-zeballos-fuga-sicario-nndc-496658-noticia/?outputType=amp/</ref> With 63 votes in favor, eight against and 21 abstentions, Zeballos was summoned on September 2 to answer a set of 12 questions regarding the case.<ref>https://amp.rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/ruben-moreno-oliva-goro-las-claves-de-la-fuga-del-sicario-asi-fue-la-cadena-de-acciones-que-resultaron-en-su-liberacion-ezequiel-nolasco-noticia-1206603O</ref>

On September 2, 2019, Zeballos attended Congress to answer the questions of the interpellation statement.<ref>https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/vicente-zeballos-sera-interpelado-por-excarcelacion-de-sicario-implicado-en-homicidio-de-exconsejero-nolasco-noticia/?outputType=amp/</ref><ref>https://amp.rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/vicente-zeballos-ministro-de-justicia-debera-responder-este-lunes-ante-el-congreso-en-la-interpelacion-por-el-caso-goro-noticia-1217374</ref> The debate lasted more than four hours and was finally suspended by the President of Congress, [[Pedro Olaechea]], without actually presenting a vote of no confidence.<ref>https://larepublica.pe/politica/2019/09/02/congreso-en-vivo-interpelacion-a-ministro-vicente-zeballos-hoy-jueves-2-de-setiembre-por-excarcelacion-de-sicario-goro-ultimas-noticias-yeni-vilcatoma/?outputType=amp/</ref>

The minister denied having lied to the Justice Committee about the hitman's escape, and denied alleged rumors of wanting to divert attention from the criminal's escape. To his presentation, Zeballos also added the existence of responsibilities of both the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) and the Judiciary.<ref>http://www.elperuano.pe/noticia-ministro-zeballos-niega-obstruccion-caso-goro-83057.aspx</ref>

⚫
==Premiership (2019-)==
⚫
On September 30, 2019, Zeballos was sworn as the new [[Prime Minister of Peru]], succeeding [[Salvador del Solar]], following the disputed attempt by Congress passing a no-confidence motion against the latter and his cabinet as a whole.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2019/10/01/martin-vizcarra-vicente-zeballos-asume-el-cargo-de-presidente-del-consejo-de-ministros-salvador-del-solar/|title=Vicente Zeballos asume el cargo de presidente del Consejo de Ministros|last=LR|first=Redacción|date=2019-10-01|website=larepublica.pe|language=es|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gob.pe/institucion/pcm/noticias/52006-vicente-zeballos-juro-como-nuevo-presidente-del-consejo-de-ministros|title=Vicente Zeballos juró como nuevo presidente del Consejo de Ministros|website=www.gob.pe|language=es|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web|url=https://amp.notimerica.com/politica/noticia-peru-vicente-zeballos-jura-cargo-nuevo-primer-ministro-peru-renuncia-salvador-solar-20191001041415.html|title=Vicente Zeballos jura el cargo como nuevo primer ministro de Perú tras la renuncia Salvador del Solar|last=|first=|date=|website=amp.notimerica.com|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-02-14}} </ref> The decree dissolving Congress was the first law signed by president Vizcarra and Zeballos as prime minister. <ref> [https://diariocorreo.pe/amp/politica/martin-vizcarra-gobierno-publica-decreto-que-dispone-cierre-del-congreso-913874/ Martín Vizcarra: Government published decree that provides for dissolution of Congress] </ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2019/10/01/cierre-del-congreso-martin-vizcarra-este-es-el-decreto-supremo-que-ordena-la-disolucion/|title=Este es el Decreto Supremo que ordena la disolución del Congreso|last=LR|first=Redacción|date=2019-10-01|website=larepublica.pe|language=es|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

⚫
On October 30, 2019, Zeballos presented, together with president Vizcarra, the main policies that his administration would advance in the following months: universal access to health services, an increase in the national minimum wage, fighting against violence against women, promoting public safety and education, and constructing two large airports.<ref>[https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/ejecutivo-presenta-plan-de-trabajo-y-medidas-del-gabinete-ministerial-martin-vizcarra-vicente-zeballos-disolucion-del-congreso-noticia/%3foutputType=amp Martín Vizcarra y Vicente Zeballos presentaron plan de trabajo y medidas del Gabinete Ministerial]</ref><ref>[https://www.gob.pe/institucion/pcm/noticias/65879-vicente-zeballos-presento-plan-de-trabajo-y-medidas-del-gabinete-ministerial Vicente Zeballos presentó Plan de Trabajo y Medidas del Gabinete Ministerial]</ref><ref>[https://www.americaeconomia.com/economia-mercados/finanzas/gobierno-de-peru-presenta-plan-de-trabajo-que-incluye-un-nuevo-sueldo Gobierno de Perú presenta plan de trabajo que incluye un nuevo sueldo mínimo para 2020]</ref> Prior to this, the government had declared that after the dissolution of Congress it would not be appropriate to present the measures of the ministerial cabinet before the Congressional Permanent Assembly, which had limited functions.<ref>[https://larepublica.pe/politica/2019/10/25/vizcarra-nego-que-corresponda-entregar-el-plan-de-trabajo-del-gabinete-ante-la-comision-permanente-congreso-elecciones-2020-pcm/%3foutputType=amp Vizcarra negó que corresponda entregar el plan de trabajo del Gabinete ante la Comisión Permanente]</ref><ref>[https://caretas.pe/politica/martin-vizcarra-niega-que-corresponda-entregar-el-plan-de-trabajo-del-gabinete-a-la-comision-permanente/amp/Martín Vizcarra: «Se va a presentar este plan de trabajo, pero, no corresponde hacerlo ante la Comisión Permanente»]</ref><ref>[https://amp.rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/disolucion-de-congreso-martin-vizcarra-no-corresponde-presentar-el-plan-de-gobierno-ante-la-comision-permanente-noticia-1226477 Vizcarra: No corresponde presentar el Plan de Gobierno ante la Comisión Permanente]</ref><ref>[https://diariocorreo.pe/amp/politica/martin-vizcarra-dijo-que-no-corresponde-presentar-plan-de-gobierno-ante-comision-permanente-disolucion-congreso-918911/Martín Vizcarra: Plan de Zeballos no corresponde presentarlo ante Comisión Permanente]</ref>

On May 19, 2020, the President of Congress, [[Manuel Merino]], invited Zeballos to a face-to-face session of Congress in compliance with Articles 130 and 135 of the Constitution and Article 82 of the Rules of Congress. The first article establishes that within 30 days of taking office, the Cabinet must attend Congress, expose the government's general policy and the main measures that its management requires. Article 135 establishes that after the parliamentary interregnum, the Prime Minister must expose the acts of the Executive Branch during the period between the dissolution and the installation of the new Congress.

Zeballos told the press that it is not appropriate to quote him based on article 130, as this cabinet "pre-exists" the new Congress. He indicated that he should only be called in application of 135 and criticized that a face-to-face session be held amid isolation from the [[2020 coronavirus disease pandemic in Peru]]. Hours later, the President of Congress pointed out that the Zeballos cabinet does not have the confidence of the previous Congress or the current one. Then, the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee of Congress, [[Omar Chehade]], warned that if the Prime Minister does not request confidence, he would commit to contempt, and it would be possible for a constitutional accusation and censorship.

On May 28, 2020, Zeballos went to request the vote of confidence with his cabinet. He obtained 89 votes in favor, 35 against, and 4 abstentions.<ref>https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-gabinete-zeballos-llego-al-congreso-para-exposicion-ante-representacion-nacional-799228.aspx</ref><ref>https://www.radionacional.com.pe/noticias/politica/gabinete-zeballos-llego-al-congreso-por-el-voto-de-confianza</ref>

⚫
====Controversies====
On October 21, 2019, Zeballos referred to the possible candidacies of legislators from the recently dissolved congress, questioning whether they should be able to participate in the 2020 congressional elections, referring to the constitutional referendum of 2018 where the immediate re-election of parliamentarians had been specifically addressed. <ref> [https://larepublica.pe/politica/2019/10/20/zeballos-sobre-posible-postulacion-de-congresistas-disueltos-no-pueden-ni-en-enero-ni-mucho-menos-en-2021-pcm-parlamento/%3foutputType=amp Zeballos sobre posible postulación de congresistas disueltos: “No pueden, ni en enero ni mucho menos en 2021”]</ref><ref>[https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/elecciones-2020-vicente-zeballos-consideramos-que-no-esta-permitida-la-reeleccion-de-congresistas-para-elecciones-de-2020-ni-2021-noticia/%3foutputType=amp Vicente Zeballos: "Consideramos que no está permitida la reelección congresal para 2020 ni 2021″]</ref>
On October 21, 2019, Zeballos referred to the possible candidacies of legislators from the recently dissolved congress, questioning whether they should be able to participate in the 2020 congressional elections, referring to the constitutional referendum of 2018 where the immediate re-election of parliamentarians had been specifically addressed. <ref> [https://larepublica.pe/politica/2019/10/20/zeballos-sobre-posible-postulacion-de-congresistas-disueltos-no-pueden-ni-en-enero-ni-mucho-menos-en-2021-pcm-parlamento/%3foutputType=amp Zeballos sobre posible postulación de congresistas disueltos: “No pueden, ni en enero ni mucho menos en 2021”]</ref><ref>[https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/elecciones-2020-vicente-zeballos-consideramos-que-no-esta-permitida-la-reeleccion-de-congresistas-para-elecciones-de-2020-ni-2021-noticia/%3foutputType=amp Vicente Zeballos: "Consideramos que no está permitida la reelección congresal para 2020 ni 2021″]</ref>


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{{Peru-politician-stub}}

Revision as of 05:47, 31 May 2020

Vicente Zeballos
Prime Minister of Peru
Incumbent
Assumed office
30 September 2019
PresidentMartín Vizcarra
Preceded bySalvador del Solar
Minister of Justice and Human Rights
In office
21 July 2018 – 1 October 2019
PresidentMartín Vizcarra
Preceded bySalvador Heresi
Succeeded byAna Teresa Revilla
Member of Congress
In office
28 July 2011 – 30 September 2019
ConstituencyMoquegua
Mayor of the Province of Mariscal Nieto
In office
1 January 2003 – 31 December 2006
Personal details
Born (1963-05-10) 10 May 1963 (age 61)
Lima, Peru
Political partyIndependent (2015–present)
Union for Peru (2011-2015)
Alma materUniversidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega

Vicente Antonio Zeballos Salinas (born May 10, 1963) is a Peruvian politician who has served as Prime Minister of Peru since September 2019.[1]

Born in the southern region of Tacna, Zeballos began his political career as mayor of Mariscal Nieto Province in Moquegua, from 2003 to 2006.[2] Subsequently he was elected to Congress in for the National Solidarity Alliance, representing Moquegua and Union for Peru. Zeballos was reelected in 2016, running in this occasion as an independent within Peruvians for Change. He left the parliamentary caucus in December 2017, in protest to the pardon granted to former president Alberto Fujimori by the leader of the party and then-president of Peru, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.[3]

In Martín Vizcarra's administration, Zeballos was appointed Minister of Justice and Human Rights, serving in the position until his appointment as Prime Minister after Salvador del Solar's resignation due to the denied confidence given by Congress, prompting its constitutional dissolution. His tenure has been marked by controversy and subject of extensive media scrutiny regarding his management skills.

Early life and education

Vicente Antonio Zeballos Salinas was born on May 10, 1963, in Tacna, Peru, but was raised in the city of Moquegua. He completed his high school education at the Simón Bolivar School of Moquegua.

He enrolled in the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega University, where he studied law and political science, attaining a law degree. He specialized in constitutional law at the Center for Constitutional Studies in Madrid, Spain. He pursued a PhD in constitutional law at the Complutense University of Madrid, but did not complete the degree.

Career

Zeballos started his political career by running for the Peruvian Congress in 2001 with the Union for Peru party representing the Moquegua constituency. Although not elected, he gained prominence in his region, gaining the mayorship of the Mariscal Nieto Province in 2002. He ran for reelection in 2006 and 2010, but was not elected.[4]

Peruvian Congress (2011-2019)

In late 2010, former mayor Luis Castañeda of Lima started his full-scale presidential campaign. Recruiting regional leaders around the country, Zeballos was selected to run for Congress in the National Solidarity Alliance, which grouped Union for Peru in coalition with the National Solidarity Party, Always Together and Change 90. The alliance would attain 9 seats in Congress, with Zeballos elected representing Moquegua for the 2011-2016 term.[5]

In his term in office, he was considered a swing vote among regional representatives. He ran for the Presidency of Congress in 2015, losing to opposition congressman Luis Iberico Núñez.[6]

In 2016, he was invited to run for reelection under the Peruvians for Change congressional list of the Moquegua Region. He was successfully reelected for the 2016-2021 term.[7] Serving in the cabinet as Minister of Justice and Human Rigths, his term would be shortened due to the dissolution of Congress issued by president Vizcarra on September 30, 2019.

Minister of Justice and Human Rights (2018-2019)

On July 21, 2018, president Martín Vizcarra appointed him Minister of Justice, replacing the disgraced Salvador Heresi, who resigned amidst the political scandal involving the Supreme Court Justice, César Hinostroza.[8]

During his tenure, he was questioned before Congress twice. On March 14, 2019, with 8 votes in favor, 24 against, and one abstention, Congress approved the admission of a motion for appeal against Zeballos for him to report on the terms of the collaboration agreement with the Brazilian company Odebrecht, which was signed with the Public Ministry and the Attorney General.[9][10] On August 15, 2019, Congress voted on the admission of a second motion for appeal against the minister to respond to the escape of the hitman William Moreno (a.k.a. "Goro"), hitman from former Governor of Ancash, César Álvarez's criminal network, and implicated in the death of former regional councilman, Ezequiel Nolasco and Hilda Saldarriaga.[11][12][13] With 63 votes in favor, eight against and 21 abstentions, Zeballos was summoned on September 2 to answer a set of 12 questions regarding the case.[14]

On September 2, 2019, Zeballos attended Congress to answer the questions of the interpellation statement.[15][16] The debate lasted more than four hours and was finally suspended by the President of Congress, Pedro Olaechea, without actually presenting a vote of no confidence.[17]

The minister denied having lied to the Justice Committee about the hitman's escape, and denied alleged rumors of wanting to divert attention from the criminal's escape. To his presentation, Zeballos also added the existence of responsibilities of both the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) and the Judiciary.[18]

Premiership (2019-)

On September 30, 2019, Zeballos was sworn as the new Prime Minister of Peru, succeeding Salvador del Solar, following the disputed attempt by Congress passing a no-confidence motion against the latter and his cabinet as a whole.[19][20][21] The decree dissolving Congress was the first law signed by president Vizcarra and Zeballos as prime minister. [22][23]

On October 30, 2019, Zeballos presented, together with president Vizcarra, the main policies that his administration would advance in the following months: universal access to health services, an increase in the national minimum wage, fighting against violence against women, promoting public safety and education, and constructing two large airports.[24][25][26] Prior to this, the government had declared that after the dissolution of Congress it would not be appropriate to present the measures of the ministerial cabinet before the Congressional Permanent Assembly, which had limited functions.[27][28][29][30]

On May 19, 2020, the President of Congress, Manuel Merino, invited Zeballos to a face-to-face session of Congress in compliance with Articles 130 and 135 of the Constitution and Article 82 of the Rules of Congress. The first article establishes that within 30 days of taking office, the Cabinet must attend Congress, expose the government's general policy and the main measures that its management requires. Article 135 establishes that after the parliamentary interregnum, the Prime Minister must expose the acts of the Executive Branch during the period between the dissolution and the installation of the new Congress.

Zeballos told the press that it is not appropriate to quote him based on article 130, as this cabinet "pre-exists" the new Congress. He indicated that he should only be called in application of 135 and criticized that a face-to-face session be held amid isolation from the 2020 coronavirus disease pandemic in Peru. Hours later, the President of Congress pointed out that the Zeballos cabinet does not have the confidence of the previous Congress or the current one. Then, the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee of Congress, Omar Chehade, warned that if the Prime Minister does not request confidence, he would commit to contempt, and it would be possible for a constitutional accusation and censorship.

On May 28, 2020, Zeballos went to request the vote of confidence with his cabinet. He obtained 89 votes in favor, 35 against, and 4 abstentions.[31][32]

Controversies

On October 21, 2019, Zeballos referred to the possible candidacies of legislators from the recently dissolved congress, questioning whether they should be able to participate in the 2020 congressional elections, referring to the constitutional referendum of 2018 where the immediate re-election of parliamentarians had been specifically addressed. [33][34]

On November 14, 2019, Luis Carrasco, the president of the Special Electoral Jury for Lima Centro (Jurado Electoral Especial; JEE), opened an investigation into the prime minister for allegedly violating, through his statement to the press as a public official, the principle of electoral neutrality. [35][36] In response, Zeballos questioned the legal basis for the JEE investigation [37] [38]

On November 27, 2019, JEE closed their investigation of Zeballos. However, the body did move to censure the then Minister of Women Gloria Montenegro, accusing her of the same infraction. [39] [40]

References

  1. ^ "PERU'S VIZCARRA SWEARS IN JUSTICE MINISTER VICENTE ZEBALLOS AS HIS NEW PRIME MINISTER". Yahoo News. Reuters. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  2. ^ PERÚ, Empresa Peruana de Servicios Editoriales S. A. EDITORA. "Conoce el perfil del nuevo ministro de Justicia, Vicente Zeballos". andina.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  3. ^ LR, Redacción (2019-05-28). "Vicente Zeballos también renuncia a bancada de PPK tras indulto". larepublica.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  4. ^ https://infogob.jne.gob.pe/Politico/FichaPolitico/vicente-antonio-zeballos-salinas_procesos-electorales_R8wCzHCMq94c6+@0ElOxMA==wH
  5. ^ https://infogob.jne.gob.pe/Politico/FichaPolitico/vicente-antonio-zeballos-salinas_procesos-electorales_R8wCzHCMq94c6+@0ElOxMA==wH
  6. ^ https://www.tvperu.gob.pe/noticias/politica/vicente-zeballos-saludo-eleccion-de-luis-iberico-como-presidente-del-congreso
  7. ^ https://infogob.jne.gob.pe/Politico/FichaPolitico/vicente-antonio-zeballos-salinas_procesos-electorales_R8wCzHCMq94c6+@0ElOxMA==wH
  8. ^ https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/salvador-heresi-renuncio-ministerio-justicia-revelarse-audio-juez-hinostroza-238410-noticia/
  9. ^ https://peru21.pe/politica/pleno-aprobo-mocion-interpelacion-ministro-vicente-zeballos-nndc-465683-noticia/?outputType=amp
  10. ^ https://amp.rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/vicente-zeballos-congreso-admitio-mocion-de-interpelacion-al-ministro-de-justicia-noticia-1185974
  11. ^ https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-congreso-aprueba-interpelar-al-ministro-vicente-zeballos-por-fuga-goro-763596.aspx
  12. ^ https://amp.rpp.pe/politica/congreso/congreso-interpelar-al-ministro-de-justicia-vicente-zeballos-por-la-liberacion-del-sicario-goro-noticia-1214610
  13. ^ https://peru21.pe/politica/ezequiel-nolasco-goro-congreso-aprueba-interpelar-vicente-zeballos-fuga-sicario-nndc-496658-noticia/?outputType=amp/
  14. ^ https://amp.rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/ruben-moreno-oliva-goro-las-claves-de-la-fuga-del-sicario-asi-fue-la-cadena-de-acciones-que-resultaron-en-su-liberacion-ezequiel-nolasco-noticia-1206603O
  15. ^ https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/vicente-zeballos-sera-interpelado-por-excarcelacion-de-sicario-implicado-en-homicidio-de-exconsejero-nolasco-noticia/?outputType=amp/
  16. ^ https://amp.rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/vicente-zeballos-ministro-de-justicia-debera-responder-este-lunes-ante-el-congreso-en-la-interpelacion-por-el-caso-goro-noticia-1217374
  17. ^ https://larepublica.pe/politica/2019/09/02/congreso-en-vivo-interpelacion-a-ministro-vicente-zeballos-hoy-jueves-2-de-setiembre-por-excarcelacion-de-sicario-goro-ultimas-noticias-yeni-vilcatoma/?outputType=amp/
  18. ^ http://www.elperuano.pe/noticia-ministro-zeballos-niega-obstruccion-caso-goro-83057.aspx
  19. ^ LR, Redacción (2019-10-01). "Vicente Zeballos asume el cargo de presidente del Consejo de Ministros". larepublica.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  20. ^ "Vicente Zeballos juró como nuevo presidente del Consejo de Ministros". www.gob.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  21. ^ "Vicente Zeballos jura el cargo como nuevo primer ministro de Perú tras la renuncia Salvador del Solar". amp.notimerica.com. Retrieved 2020-02-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ Martín Vizcarra: Government published decree that provides for dissolution of Congress
  23. ^ LR, Redacción (2019-10-01). "Este es el Decreto Supremo que ordena la disolución del Congreso". larepublica.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  24. ^ Martín Vizcarra y Vicente Zeballos presentaron plan de trabajo y medidas del Gabinete Ministerial
  25. ^ Vicente Zeballos presentó Plan de Trabajo y Medidas del Gabinete Ministerial
  26. ^ Gobierno de Perú presenta plan de trabajo que incluye un nuevo sueldo mínimo para 2020
  27. ^ Vizcarra negó que corresponda entregar el plan de trabajo del Gabinete ante la Comisión Permanente
  28. ^ Vizcarra: «Se va a presentar este plan de trabajo, pero, no corresponde hacerlo ante la Comisión Permanente»
  29. ^ Vizcarra: No corresponde presentar el Plan de Gobierno ante la Comisión Permanente
  30. ^ Vizcarra: Plan de Zeballos no corresponde presentarlo ante Comisión Permanente
  31. ^ https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-gabinete-zeballos-llego-al-congreso-para-exposicion-ante-representacion-nacional-799228.aspx
  32. ^ https://www.radionacional.com.pe/noticias/politica/gabinete-zeballos-llego-al-congreso-por-el-voto-de-confianza
  33. ^ Zeballos sobre posible postulación de congresistas disueltos: “No pueden, ni en enero ni mucho menos en 2021”
  34. ^ Vicente Zeballos: "Consideramos que no está permitida la reelección congresal para 2020 ni 2021″
  35. ^ JEE abre investigación a Zeballos y Montenegro por presunta vulneración a la neutralidad
  36. ^ JEE inicia proceso a Zeballos y Montenegro por presunta vulneración a la neutralidad
  37. ^ Zeballos described as "excess" investigation initiated by JEE for alleged violation of neutrality
  38. ^ -that-jee-had-an-excess-in-the-interpretation-of-mere-opinions-executive-power-jne-video /% 3foutputType = ampZeballos considers that JEE had an “excess in the interpretation” of “mere opinions ”
  39. ^ electoral-special-lima-center-imposed-ethics-exhortation-to-glory-montenegro-vicente-zeballos /% 3foutputType = amp Elections 2020: JEE imposed ethical exhortation to Minister Montenegro
  40. ^ "Elecciones 2020: JEE determina que Montenegro infringió principio de neutralidad". América Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-02-14.
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