Peruvian Congress rejects president's bill to change constitution

FILE PHOTO: Peru's President Pedro Castillo waves as he walks on his way to the Congress a day after lawmakers voted to start an impeachment process against him, in Lima, Peru March 15, 2022. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda/File Photo

LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's Congress on Friday rejected a bill presented by President Pedro Castillo to call a referendum to change the constitution, a campaign promise he had made with the aim of boosting the state's role in the economy.

The bill, which would have called for a constitutional assembly to redraft Peru's Constitution of 1993, was rejected by a congressional commission with 11 votes against and six votes in favor.