Peru's Congress fails to agree over holding early elections

A demonstrator holds a flag in front of riot police officers standing guard during a protest to demand Peru's President Dina Boluarte to step down, in Lima, Peru, January 31, 2023. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda

LIMA (Reuters) -Peru's Congress on Wednesday rejected a proposal to move elections forward to December 2023, despite nearly two months of protests that have left dozens dead following the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo.

Lawmakers will continue debating a different proposal to hold early elections, a key demand of the protesters. But Peru's Congress is deeply fragmented and reaching an agreement is tricky.