The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

Economy minister, Alfredo Thorne quits in scandal

Peru's Finance Minister Alfredo Thorne, pictured in 2016, was heard in a leaked recording apparently pressuring a senior financial official to approve an airport construction contract in return for an increased budget allocation

Alfredo Thorne announced on Twitter on Wednesday that he was quitting his post after the vote in the opposition-controlled legislature.

He is the second member of center-right President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's government to quit in the scandal, after transport minister Martin Vizcarra. Two other ministers left the government last year.

Thorne was heard in a leaked recording apparently pressuring a senior financial official to approve an airport construction contract in return for an increased budget allocation.

The government camp has denounced it as a set-up.

ADVERTISEMENT

Peru's economy has outperformed most of its neighbors over recent years. But it is suffering from an international corruption scandal involving Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht, which has led major building projects to be canceled.

Kuczynski very narrowly won the vote in last year's election but his rival Keiko Fujimori's right-wing populist movement won a majority in congress, posing a challenge to his reform plans.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT