国际英语新闻:Peruvian president calls for national dialogue

LIMA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Peru's President Francisco Sagasti on Friday called on all social and political sectors to start a process of national dialogue to overcome the socio-economic and political challenges facing the country.

"It is time to start a process of inclusive national dialogue, open to all, in what could serve as the basis for future constitutional change," he said.

Sagasti's remarks were made during an official tour of the city of Huaura, 147 kilometers north of the capital Lima.

Various social and political sectors have been demanding a new Constitution to replace the current one dating from 1993, he noted.

"It is up to us, as a transitional and emergency government, to simply create the conditions for this to happen; we cannot, at such a critical moment, go further," he said.

Peru has just emerged from a political crisis caused by allegations of corruption against former presidents, and is also dealing with the economic crisis caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Sagasti, who assumed presidency on Nov. 16, has the mandate to lead the country until July 28, 2021, following the ouster of his predecessors amid a power struggle between the legislative and executive branches.