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Peru’s President Manuel Merino resigned on Sunday, just five days after taking office, sparking celebrations in the capital Lima, following street protests against him and the overthrow of his popular predecessor.
“I want the whole country to know that I am resigning,” Merino said in a televised speech, the day after a police crackdown on protesters left at least two dead.
Merino, 59, resigned shortly after a congressional crisis session asked him to resign before 6:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. Monday) or face censorship.
Congress is expected to appoint a new president, the third of the South American country in a week, in a new session called for 6:00 p.m.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in days of protests against Merino after the overthrow of his predecessor Martín Vizcarra, who was indicted on Monday on corruption charges.
The congressional ultimatum came after the Health Ministry said that two protesters were killed on Saturday during a massive and peaceful march in Lima, which was put down by police who fired pellets and tear gas.
Merino said that to avoid a “power vacuum,” the 18 ministers he was sworn in on Thursday would remain temporarily in office, although almost all had resigned in the wake of Saturday’s deadly protest.
The resignation was met with noisy celebrations in Lima, with protesters taking to the streets honking horns and banging pots.
