Barely a week after he was inaugurated to replace ousted popular president, Martín Vizcarra, Peru's interim President, Manuel Merino has offered his
Barely a week after he was inaugurated to replace ousted popular president, Martín Vizcarra, Peru‘s interim President, Manuel Merino has offered his resignation after facing furious nationwide protests and growing international pressure.
Merino, the former head of Congress, was inaugurated on Tuesday. As protests mounted in the days since Vizcarra’s abrupt removal, Merino vowed to remain in office. But he relented on Sunday, offering his resignation to congress, which is expected to accept it.
In a brief televised speech, Merino said his de facto cabinet would continue while congress worked to name a new president. But it was unclear who he was talking about; at least 11, including the heads of the interior, justice, trade and energy and mines, announced their resignations, some on Twitter, overnight.
Vizcarra remains popular for his anti-corruption crusading. Polls show that four out of five Peruvians opposed his ouster. A similar majority favored prosecutors investigating him, but only once he left office. He was due to step down at the end of his term next July.
Thousands took to the streets in days of protests against Merino following the ouster of his predecessor Martin Vizcarra, who was impeached on corruption allegations on Monday. Congress’ ultimatum came after the health ministry said two protesters were killed on Saturday during a massive and peaceful march in Lima, which was repressed by police firing shotgun pellets and tear gas.
