The return to bicameralism: A new direction for the Peruvian Congress?

The Government enacted this Wednesday, March 20, the constitutional reform that will allow the return to bicameralism in the Congress of the Republic, a decision that has generated various opinions and expectations in the Peruvian political scene. This measure implies significant changes in the structure and functioning of the Parliament, as from 2026, the Congress will be composed of 130 deputies and 60 senators, with the intention of promoting greater debate and political control in the approval of laws. Supporters of the reform emphasize that the Senate will act as a counterbalance to the power of the Chamber of Deputies, allowing for greater reflection and analysis in the decision-making process. It is also highlighted that the Senate will have important functions such as the election of members of the Constitutional Court, the appointment of the comptroller general, among other key attributions. However, criticisms have not been lacking. Some sectors consider that this decision should not have been taken by a Congress with very low popularity, according to recent polls. Furthermore, it is recalled that in the 2018 referendum, the population voted against the return to bicameralism, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the measure. One of the most controversial points of this reform is the possibility of immediate reelection for senators and deputies, a fact that was rejected by a part of the citizenry in the past referendum. This provision has generated criticism and questioning, as some consider that legislators could seek to perpetuate themselves in power instead of genuinely representing the interests of the population. Amid this debate, an important question raised by the President of Congress, Alejandro Soto, also arises: What would be the alleged crimes if searches of investigated legislators are prevented? This question calls into question the possibility that parliamentarians may enjoy certain privileges that put them above the law, generating concern among the citizenry about transparency and accountability in the new bicameral scenario. In summary, the enactment of the constitutional reform for the return to bicameralism in the Congress of the Republic is an event of great relevance that will mark a before and after in the political history of the country. However, it remains to be seen how the new control and representation mechanisms will develop, as well as the impact they will have on the democratic life of Peruvians.