By Marco Aquino

LIMA (Reuters). -On Monday, the impeachment vote by Congress against Peruvian President Pedro Castillo failed to win enough votes for him to be removed from office eight months ago.

The impeachment was supported by 55 of the 130 unicameral Congress members. Castillo was removed by Congress only if he had 87 votes.

The outcome will prevent a new crisis political in the near term, even though Castillo’s administration was turbulent with four Cabinets elected in less than one year.

Castillo is a former teacher who came from peasant farming families and rose to fame last year when he won narrowly the election. He has now been accused of corruption, which he strongly refutes. Castillo survived an impeachment attempt late last year.

Castillo stated that “Unfortunately, an attempt to remove me by impeachment had become the central hub of the journalistic and political agendas since my election. This cannot continue,” Castillo told lawmakers in a speech before the vote.

He stated that he has not violated the law since assuming office.

He said, “I know we all make mistakes, and everyone has defects. But I’m loyal to my values, commitments and principles.” Members of Congress, please vote for democracy and vote for Peru. Vote against instability.

Castillo still has a low approval rating. It hovers around 25%, according an IEP poll.

Castillo has been under intense pressure. Prosecutors raided some relatives and ex-officials earlier in today to see if they were still living at home.

Over the weekend, protestors marched through Lima calling on Castillo’s ouster.

People can’t bear it any longer. Claudia Iriarte, a protester said that she was fed up and demanded justice for all those who are corrupt.

Five presidents have been elected to office in the Andean state since 2016. After an impeachment vote in 2018, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was forced to resign. Martín Vizcarra was impeached in 2020.