Peru has lived some tumultuous days, and its worst constitutional crisis in two decades, following the impeachment of former president Martin Vizcarra. After violent protests, two unfortunate deaths, and a presidential resignation, a third president has been installed within a week.
On November 8, the Peruvian Congress initiated impeachment proceedings of president Martin Vizcarra, who took office in 2018 after former president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned amid corruption allegations and impending impeachment. The impeachment was carried out through the 19th century-era of “moral incapacity.” Vizcarra was accused of corruption and taking bribes, allegations which he has denied.
In his place, Manuel Merino, former president of Congress, was sworn in as interim president. He was only in office for five days before he resigned amid country-wide protests.
Peruvians—including opposition parties and civil society—protested Vizcarra’s ousting as a legislative coup at the hands of Congress. They refused to recognize Merino, and violent protests ensued for six consecutive days and nights. On Saturday night, 94 people were injured by a repressive police force and two young men, Jack Pintado, 22, and Jordan Sotelom 24, lost their lives.
On Sunday, five days after his swearing in, Merino resigned as interim president of Peru. “I want to make it known to the whole country that I irrevocably present my resignation for the office of the presidency and I call for peace and unity for all Peruvians. My commitment is with Peru and I will do everything in my power to guarantee a constitutional succession and for Congress to determine in order for Peru to move forward,” he said. According to state press agency Andina, the resignation came after at least eight Cabinet ministers resigned following the violent Saturday protests.
For 24 hours following Merino’s resignation, Peru had no designated president. Francisco Sagasti was voted as the leader of Congress, and on Tuesday was sworn in as Peru’s third president in a week. Sagasti, a long-time politician, voted against Vizcarra’s ouster, a move which is expected to win him the support of at least some protesters. His elevation to the presidency has been received with both hope and skepticism.
In his address to the nation, Sagasti promised efforts to restore trust in government, praised protesters for holding politicians accountable to the democratic values they are elected to uphold, paid homage to the two young lives lost, and promised a continuation of the fight against corruption in the country.
Although Congress remains divided and is expected to remain gridlocked in the face of any major reforms, particularly to combat corruption, it is expected that the legislature that has ousted two sitting presidents in the past five years will have a more difficult time removing Sagasti, who, unlike Vizcarra, has a party representing him in Congress. After the constitutional crisis that enveloped Peru in the last week, the country’s highest court is evaluating whether Congress’ impeachment of Vizcarra was legal. The decision will not have a retroactive effect, but it could influence future proceedings.