The head of Peru’s Congress party was sworn in as president late Monday night after a controversial vote in a congressional suffrage, which led to accusations of rebellion.
With the removal of popular President Martin Vizcara, Peru has erupted into the world’s worst coronavirus, leaving its economy in recession and causing mass unemployment.
After a night of violent protests and clashes with police, hundreds of protesters gathered again in downtown Lima on Tuesday morning to protest against the swearing-in of Manuel Marino, who was seen as a key figure in escalating Vizcara’s impeachment. September’s last attempt failed to get enough votes.
“Mary is not my president” who peruvina placard waving flag and retreating in Riot police with shields dandao drive back protesters who marched on the Congress building and the carriages. 105 of Peru’s 105 legislators voted Monday to remove Vizcara. Vizcara had earlier said that less than ch than members of Congress demanded his impeachment, they themselves were not subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
Many public figures and legal experts have said that stepping down from Vizcara’s authority – on the grounds of “permanent moral disability” – is illegal. Leading presidential candidate George Forsyth tweeted that it was a “rebellion in disguise”. Left-wing presidential candidate Veronica Mendoza called on Peruvians to take to the streets to defend democracy.
Analysts agreed that the position was removed by opposition leaders who affected their business interests because of the president’s anti-graft reform and his higher education.
“The removal of President Martin Vizcara is a coup,” said Pedro Catariano, a former prime minister and constitutional lawyer.
“Without any doubt, Congress has violated the constitutional order,” he said, adding that “sitting in the constitution does not allow the president to be convicted or given a political fine.”
“The president of Peru can be investigated and charged when he fulfills his orders, as he did. [former presidents] [Alejandro] Toledo, [Alan] Garcia, [Ollanta] Humala and P.P.K. [Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]”
Vizcara, who stepped down as president on Monday night, was greeted by neighbors as he arrived at his home in Lima’s middle-class district.
The leader, who has long campaigned against corruption at the highest levels of government, said he was stepping down with a “clear conscience”.
Surrounded by his ministers, Vizcara said he hopes to know what the “real motives” behind his impeachment were.
“Were they … decisions made in favor of Peru and Peruvians or were they made only for individual and group interests?” He asked.
Merino takes office under a cloud of illegality and a lack of public support while a majority vote shows that Vizcara still has more than 50% approval.
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