Long-Simmering Political Crisis in Peru Between the President and Congress Finally Boils Over

!!!

On September 30, 2019, Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra dissolved Congress, as was his constitutional prerogative, after they had declared no confidence a second time. His Fujimorista opponents who control Congress tried to counterpunch by declaring Vice President Mercedes Aráoz Interim President, but she demurred, resigning her post after declining the opposition’s nomination, saying she hoped it would pave the way for a new general election. After other Congressional attempts to oust President Vizcarra, the Fujimorista offensive fell apart, given that their actions were deemed null and void since they had occurred after Congress had been dissolved. What is more, the military and police forces stood behind the president. Observers around the region grappled with the implications of what is widely seen as Peru’s spectacular institutional meltdown.

To read the full content subscribe today!