Peru’s Interim President, Manuel Merino, announced his resignation on Sunday, after nearly a week of violent protests in the country where at least two people were reported dead and 94 injured. He was the President of Congress before he was appointed interim President after former President Martin Vizcarra was impeached by Congress due to “moral incapacity” and for allegedly accepting more than $630,000 in bribes when he was still a governor some years ago. As Vizcarra’s replacement, Merino promised to unite the country but the Peruvians refused to recognize his authority.
NPR.Org: By Sunday, most of Merino’s Cabinet had resigned, and Congress asked him to relinquish the role.
Less than one week after assuming the office of the presidency, Manuel Merino has stepped down as interim president of Peru, according to NPR.Org.
The move caps a week of political turmoil that has embroiled the country since former President Martín Vizcarra was removed by legislators Monday night. Merino, who was head of Congress, took his place on Tuesday — and faced immediate opposition from Peruvians who refused to recognize his authority.
By Sunday, most of Merino’s Cabinet had resigned, and Congress asked him to relinquish the role.
Congress, which was holding an emergency session Sunday, is expected to replace Merino.
CNN: Peru’s interim president Manuel Merino announces his resignation via a televised address from the Presidential Palace in Lima, Peru, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020.
CNN reports that Peru’s interim president Manuel Merino resigned Sunday, after being in office for only five days. His decision followed nearly a week of violent protests in the country following the impeachment of former President Martin Vizcarra.
Merino was the President of Congress until being appointed interim president after Congress impeached former President Martin Vizcarra over corruption allegations on Monday. Vizcarra has denied the allegations.
Vizcarra’s impeachment sparked protests across the country starting Monday and continued for six nights in a row, leaving at least two people dead and 94 injured on Saturday night.
