Peru President Merino Resigns Following Street Protests - Foreign Affairs

Peru President Merino Resigns Following Street Protests - Foreign Affairs - Nairaland

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Peru President Merino Resigns Following Street Protests by NaijaMutant(op): 5:16pm On Nov 16, 2020

In this file picture taken on November 10, 2020 the head of the Peruvian Congress, Manuel Merino (R), waves after being sworn in as interim president in Lima, a day after the Congress voted to impeach and oust President Martin Vizcarra over corruption allegations. Cesar Von BANCELS / AFP

Peru’s President Manuel Merino resigned Sunday, just five days after taking office, sparking celebrations in the capital Lima following street protests against him and the ousting of his popular predecessor.

“I want to let the whole country know that I’m resigning,” Merino said in a televised address, a day after a police crackdown on protesters left at least two people dead.

READ ALSO: Peru President Faces Calls To Resign After Three Protesters Killed

Merino, 59, resigned shortly after a crisis session of Congress called on him to quit power before 6:00 pm (2300 GMT) or face censure.

Congress is expected to appoint a new president — the South American country’s third in a week — in a new session called for 6:00 pm.

Thousands have taken 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.

File photo: Demonstrators hold a protest against the new government of interim President Manuel Merino, following the impeachment and removal of former Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra, at the San Martin square in Lima on November 12, 2020, ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP

Merino said that in order to avoid a “power vacuum” the 18 ministers he swore in on Thursday would temporarily remain in their posts, though almost all had resigned in the wake of Saturday’s deadly protest.

The resignation was greeted by noisy celebrations in Lima, with demonstrators taking to the streets sounding horns and banging pots.

https://www.channelstv.com/2020/11/15/peru-president-merino-resigns-following-street-protests/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Re: Peru President Merino Resigns Following Street Protests by NaijaMutant(op): 5:16pm On Nov 16, 2020

Buhari when huh

Re: Peru President Merino Resigns Following Street Protests by espn(m): 5:22pm On Nov 16, 2020

NaijaMutant:
Buhari when

Trump when...Even jonathan didnt when there was protest.

Re: Peru President Merino Resigns Following Street Protests by Oxb90: 5:22pm On Nov 16, 2020

NaijaMutant:
Buhari when

Re: Peru President Merino Resigns Following Street Protests by Oxb90: 5:23pm On Nov 16, 2020

Dem no get army?. Nigeria is a terrible place.

Re: Peru President Merino Resigns Following Street Protests by majamajic(m): 5:26pm On Nov 16, 2020

It can never happen in Africa

Re: Peru President Merino Resigns Following Street Protests by BigDick70inch(m): 5:34pm On Nov 16, 2020

NaijaMutant:
In this file picture taken on November 10, 2020 the head of the Peruvian Congress, Manuel Merino (R), waves after being sworn in as interim president in Lima, a day after the Congress voted to impeach and oust President Martin Vizcarra over corruption allegations. Cesar Von BANCELS / AFP

Peru’s President Manuel Merino resigned Sunday, just five days after taking office, sparking celebrations in the capital Lima following street protests against him and the ousting of his popular predecessor.

“I want to let the whole country know that I’m resigning,” Merino said in a televised address, a day after a police crackdown on protesters left at least two people dead.

READ ALSO: Peru President Faces Calls To Resign After Three Protesters Killed

Merino, 59, resigned shortly after a crisis session of Congress called on him to quit power before 6:00 pm (2300 GMT) or face censure.

Congress is expected to appoint a new president — the South American country’s third in a week — in a new session called for 6:00 pm.

Thousands have taken 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.

File photo: Demonstrators hold a protest against the new government of interim President Manuel Merino, following the impeachment and removal of former Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra, at the San Martin square in Lima on November 12, 2020, ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP

Merino said that in order to avoid a “power vacuum” the 18 ministers he swore in on Thursday would temporarily remain in their posts, though almost all had resigned in the wake of Saturday’s deadly protest.

The resignation was greeted by noisy celebrations in Lima, with demonstrators taking to the streets sounding horns and banging pots.

https://www.channelstv.com/2020/11/15/peru-president-merino-resigns-following-street-protests/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Better president!!!

Re: Peru President Merino Resigns Following Street Protests by Okoroawusa: 5:38pm On Nov 16, 2020

BigDick70inch:
Better president!!!

It wasn't the death of protesters that made him resign. The former president that was removed by Congress is equally still powerful. His supporters have been on the street for one week.

It's purely a power tussle matter. Peru should take it easy before America put eye for their matter and engineer war just to sell their weapons.

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