The official television channel of the Peruvian parliament cut its live broadcast of the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday to air a pre-recorded video message from Senate President Miguel Torres.
The signal interruption occurred while legislative staff were reading the procedural rules for a session in which Prime Minister Luis Galarreta and his cabinet were presenting the government's general policy platform.
The plenary session convened at 10:00 a.m. under Article 130 of the Peruvian Constitution, which obliges a newly appointed cabinet to present its general policy to parliament. The legislative schedule set aside four hours of parliamentary debate, distributed proportionally among congressional groups.
The presentation was the first time a cabinet had appeared before the newly reinstated Chamber of Deputies. Peru recently restored a bicameral parliament, dividing legislative powers between a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies after more than three decades under a single assembly.
Congressional leader calls for legislative unity
During the pre-recorded video, Torres welcomed the policy presentation by Galarreta's cabinet. Speaking as president of both the Senate and the broader Congress of the Republic, Torres said he looked forward to the premier's address with expectation and called on all deputies and senators to approach the moment with responsibility.
He urged lawmakers to listen, evaluate, and offer constructive proposals in response to the prime minister's presentation.
Torres also stated that parliamentary oversight should not be at odds with joint work between branches of state. He added that the country requires a legislature that conducts scrutiny while recognizing that collaboration between powers of state is fundamental to move forward.
Priority challenges and legislative debate
In his statement, Torres highlighted three concrete fronts facing the country: the severe El Niño climate phenomenon, escalating citizen insecurity, and broader national challenges.
He closed his message with a direct appeal for unity to act and responsibility to deliver results for the public.
The interruption occurred on Canal del Congreso, the official television station of the Congress of the Republic of Peru, which broadcasts parliamentary proceedings nationwide. Under Peruvian constitutional procedure, cabinet policy presentations under Article 130 serve as major legislative milestones, allowing lawmakers to debate executive priorities before deciding on ministerial confidence.
