Peru: Francisco Sagasti new president

The Peruvian Congress (unicameral Parliament) today approved the list of its new leaders (president and three vice-presidents), led by the parliamentarian Francisco Sagasti of the Morado Party (purple), who will automatically become the next president of the republic.

This was reported by the Andina news agency.

Sagasti, who had voted against the dismissal of President Martin Vizcarra, will take the place of Manuel Merino who, after coming to the presidency, was forced to submit his "irrevocable resignation" due to the street violence that took place in Lima with the death of two students.

A 76-year-old engineer, Sagasti worked extensively for the World Bank and won the appointment with a broad vote that ended with 97 votes in favor, 26 against, and no abstention.

This will make him the third Peruvian head of state within a week, with the hope that his designation will allow to dampen social tensions, in a context of economic crisis and coronavirus pandemic.

Sagasti will have to take on the heavy responsibility of creating a government that brings Peru to the general elections scheduled for April 2021.