Peru’s Congress has elected Congressman Francisco Sagasti as the country’s new interim president – the country’s third head of state in a week.
The appointment of the 76-year-old engineer and academic, who will lead the country until the presidential election next year is expected to soothe a sharp political crisis after angry protests and the departure of two presidents in the past week.
People waved the nation’s red-and-white flag and blared horns outside the gates of Congress as Mr Sagasti, from the centrist Morado Party, won enough votes to head Congress.
He takes over from interim leader, Manuel Merino who resigned five days after being sworn in following the impeachment of ousted Martin Vizcarra.
The removal of Vizcarra, who was popular with many Peruvians but angered legislators with his push for anti-corruption measures and attempts to curb parliamentary immunity, sparked days of protests that led to the deaths of two men.
“Today is not a day of celebration,” the newly elected Sagasti said in his first words after taking office in Congress. “We cannot go back, bring them back to life, but we can take action from Congress, from the executive, so that this does not happen again.”
Sagasti, a former World Bank official and engineer also faces a formidable challenge to bring stability to Peru, which was already hard hit by COVID-19 and heading for its worst economic contraction in a century.
He received 97 votes in favour with 26 against, and is set to be in office until July 2021 and see to holding of general elections on April 11.
Crowds in Lima’s central plaza greeted his appointment with jubilee. He was also immediately welcomed by international leaders including Organization of American States Secretary-General, Luis Almagro.
“We trust in his capacity to guide the country through this crisis until the next presidential election,” Almagro wrote on Twitter.
Ousted President, Vizcarra also wished the new president well tweeting, “I congratulate Francisco Sagasti on his election as President of Parliament. Only a person with democratic principles will be able to face the difficult situation that the country is going through.
The president of the Peruvian chapter of Transparency International, Samuel Rotta told reporters that, “What’s at stake is taking a first step toward rebuilding confidence between the people and the state.
“People on the streets, in their homes, on their balconies and on social media are very, very upset. Peru is a country with high levels of mistrust. Politicians profoundly aggravated that.”
Every living former president has been accused or indicted with corruption-related charges in Peru. Also, half of Congress is also under investigation for crimes ranging from money laundering to homicide.
There are concerns of a growing political crisis as Peru faces a severe economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
It has so far reported nearly 935,000 infections and more than 35,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University – making it the country with the third highest rate of deaths per 100,000 people in the world.
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