Peru's Congress approves referendum on Vizcarra's bid for cutting corruption

Peru's Congress on Thursday approved a referendum on a raft of political and judicial reforms introduced by the new government of President Martin Vizcarra and aimed at stamping out corruption and cronyism in one of Latin America's most promising economies.

The reforms to be put to a popular vote include the creation of the second chamber in Congress and a ban on the re-election of lawmakers.

In a sitting that lasted until the early hours of Thursday morning, Peru's Congress also approved the regulation of political party financing and the overhaul of the National Council of Magistrates, a seven-member panel that selects and oversees judges and prosecutors, after an influence-trafficking scandal in July.

Vizcarra came to power in March on a promise of cleaning up endemic corruption in the country that claimed the scalp of the previous president, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who resigned to avoid impeachment over graft and vote-buying allegations he denied.

All four reforms will be put to a referendum set for Dec. 9. 

(With inputs from agencies.)