He Return to the bicameral system – and thus to unlimited re-election to parliament– was approved in November 2023 and March 2024 after intensive debates. Paradoxically, today the same reform has become a comeback for a group of representatives who voted against it but are now preparing a campaign to remain in Congress.
At least 16 of the 31 congressmen who voted against one or both votes are already on official lists for the 2026 general elections as candidates for the Senate or the Chamber of Deputies, according to data from post. Others are considering applying to be guests without public confirmation.
In November 2023, the plenary session voted for a reform that deleted Article 90-A of the Constitution, which prohibited immediate re-election. Congress would thus move from a unicameral system to a bicameral system consisting of a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies.
The reform was approved in two votes, which was necessary because it is a constitutional amendment. However, not all lawmakers supported the change: 32 votes were againstcoming from banks like Free Peru, shared democratic change for Peru (now with a different name), Magisterial Block, Bicentenary of Peru (already disbanded) and a group of ungrouped ones.
Today, of the total number of congressmen who voted “no”, 15 appear on the official lists submitted to the ONPE for the bicameral Congress and another, Guido Bellido, has confirmed that he will run as a guest.
Below is the full list of those who voted against re-election but are registered today or are on track to run in 2026:
1. Perú Libre: the bank with the most applicants
Within Peru Libre, several congressmen who said “no” are now actively participating in the election campaign:
- Isaac Mita: voted against in 2023. 2024 he said post that his application opportunity was “70% utilized”.
- Flavio Cruz: He voted against it, but today he is a candidate for the first vice presidency in the formula led by Vladimir Cerrón and goes to the Senate with third place on the list.
- Waldemar Cerron: voted against it, but is running for Senate.
- Maria Agüero, Second Montalvo, Maria Taipe, America Gonza And Kelly Portalatino: They are also seeking new seats in the bicameral Congress.
Even Waldemar Cerrón declared this year that members of Congress have “the right” to campaign during House Week.
2. Alliance we will win
The Venceremos Alliance – made up of Nuevo Perú por el Buen Vivir and Voces del Pueblo – will include two congressmen who voted “no”:
- Sigrid Bazan: will run as deputy. He responded to his decision:“Not at all (that’s a contradiction). I’m running again because I want to continue fighting against the mafia… I’m trying to continue my work with pots, unions and civil society…” He also noted: “The re-election is not bad. The bad thing is how it was received. I don’t regret my votes.”
- Echeverria hamlet: He will be a candidate for the Senate. In December he said in Cajamarca: “We are exploring the possibility of becoming a senator”. His name is already on the official list.
3. Together for Peru
- Wilson Quispe: When he was part of Perú Libre, he voted against it, calling the bicameral system an unsocialized reform. Now he will run for the Senate for “Together for Peru.”
- Roberto Sanchez
- Elias Varas
- Victor Cutipa
- Margot Palacios
They all voted against it at the time and will now fight for a place in the new parliament.
4. Podemos Peru: Guido Bellido also returns to the campaign
- Guido BellidoAlthough he voted against it, he will run for Senate as a guest of Podemos Peru, a party led by José Luna Gálvez. Although he is affiliated with Pueblo Consciente, he can apply to be a guest since he is their president. He already takes part in public activities in party clothes. Regarding his candidacy he said: “Several of my colleagues are taking part” and highlighted coincidences in proposals such as increasing the minimum pay.
5. Peru First: the case of Isabel Cortez
- Isabel Cortezformer member of Podemos Perú and Juntos por el Perú, also voted against in both votes. Today he is seeking a seat in the Senate with Perú Primero, the party of former President Martín Vizcarra.
Although she has not yet announced it publicly, her candidacy is considered almost certain since she is not currently active in any group and can join as a guest.
Accordingly The trade32 members of Congress rejected the reform. Of them, 15 are already on official lists and one – Bellido – has announced that he will be coming along as a guest. The other 14 have not ruled out applying if they receive a formal invitation.
From March 2024, Peru will return to the bicameral system with:
- 60 senators
- 130 MPs
The Chamber of Deputies takes on a political role (interpellations, censure) and the Senate takes on institutional functions, such as appointing the Constitutional Court or the Ombudsman.
Every bill must pass both chambers before it is approved.
This model is used in countries such as: Argentina, Spain, USA, France, Italy and Mexico.
Before 1993 there were also two chambers in Peru:
- 180 deputies (aged 25 and over)
- 60 senators (aged 30 and over)
Approval of the bicameral system and the return to re-election continue to lead to contradictory positions. Meanwhile, the 2026 electoral process has already begun and many of those who rejected this reform will be protagonists of the election campaign that is currently allowing them to run again.
About The Author
