Lima - Peruvian Prime Minister Yehude Simon overcame Tuesday a vote of no confidence in Congress after violent protests by indigenous communities earlier this month. Only 56 legislators voted in favour of the opposition-sponsored no confidence motion, which was based on the allegation that Simon made wrong decisions that caused the violence.
Sixty-one votes were needed for it to pass. Thirty-two legislators voted against it, with 11 abstentions.
Critics of Simon accuse the government of having held talks with portions of the opposition, causing the absence of several members of congress.
Clashes between police and demonstrators from indigenous communities on June 5 left at least 34 dead, including 24 police officers. The legislation that provoked the Indios to demonstrate and would have promoted development of the Amazon rainforest has since been revoked, and the protests have ended.
Had the vote of no confidence against Simon succeeded, the prime minister and the 16 members of his Cabinet would have been forced to tender their resignations.
