Political crisis in Peru

  • Peru swore in Francisco Sagasti as its third president in just over a week on November 17.
  • The man Peruvians elected in 2016, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, was supposed to be in power until 2021. 
  • Instead, repeated corruption scandals and strong arming by Congress has brought the nation four leaders before the term expires.
MARTIN VIZCARRA
  • Peru plunged into turmoil when Congress voted to oust ex-President Martin Vizcarra.
  • Martin Vizcarra was a centrist figure who was not affiliated with any political party.
  • He became the “first” vice-president of Peru in July 2016.
  • He, then, became president in March 2018 after then-incumbent Pedro Kuczynski resigned over corruption charges.
  • Ever since he assumed office, Vizcarra had a fraught relationship with Congress, Peru’s 130-member unicameral legislative body, and had it dissolved in 2019, triggering a constitutional crisis. 
  • Lawmakers used a 19th century-era clause to oust Vizcarra for “moral incapacity”.
  • The congress accused him of taking bribes years ago when he was a governor. 
  • Vizcarra, however, denied the allegations.
WHY THE PROTESTS?
  • During his two-and-a-half years in power, Vizcarra had amassed wide popularity, especially among the Peruvian youth, as an anti-corruption crusader. 
  • So, when the impeachment trial came through, his supporters accused Congress of orchestrating a parliamentary coup.
  • Legislators swore in a little-known politician and rice farmer, Manuel Merino, as the country’s interim leader. 
  • He resigned five days later after most of his Cabinet resigned and the demonstrations turned violent.


SOURCE: IE, TH

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