Peru’s interim president resigns with less than a week in office | World

• In Peru, two die in demonstrations, ministers resign en masse

He faced a wave of protests that demanded his departure. Two people died in those events. There were also injured people (read below).

Merino assumed the presidency last Tuesday (11). He was appointed after Congress removed Martin Vizcarra from the government accused of taking bribes during his tenure as governor, which he denies.

• What is behind the wave of protests after the impeachment of the president of Peru?

Congressmen against Merino

The current leader of Congress, Luis Valez, had already said this Sunday (15) that the leaders had agreed to request the immediate resignation of Merino.

Two people died on Saturday during protests against the Merino presidency.

Peru’s national human rights coordinator said 102 people were injured and at least 41 are missing. The Health Ministry reported that 63 people were hospitalized after sustaining injuries or inhaling tear gas. At least nine had gunshot wounds, authorities said.

On November 9, Martín Vizcarra formally left the government after Congress approved a political trial for “moral disability.” The former president was ousted for taking bribes when he was governor in 2014, which he denies.

Of the 130 parliamentarians, 105 voted in favor of impeachment.

The decision came just a few months before the presidential elections, scheduled for April 2021, and generated much discontent.

Since then, Peruvians have held marches and political events in the streets to protest Vizcarra’s removal. On Saturday, protesters filled squares in downtown Lima.

Not all the protesters are Vizcarra supporters, according to a BBC report. The majority opposes the measure that Congress took against the former president.

Another congressman in power

According to the Peruvian press, Merino will return to Congress.

Parliamentarians will now have to meet and elect a new board of directors. Its leader will be the new interim president of Peru.