Economics
Peru President Dissolves Congress as Opposition Cries Foul
- President Vizcarra calls parliamentary election for January 26
- Opposition lawmakers held snap vote to suspend the president
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President Martin Vizcarra dissolved Peru’s opposition-controlled Congress and called a parliamentary election in a bid to end the political gridlock over his plans to stamp out corruption in the Andean country.
The move was generally well received by a population tired of graft scandals gripping the political class, with Congress being among the country’s most discredited institutions. Yet lawmakers called it a “coup,” suspended the president and swore in Vice President Mercedes Araoz as the new leader. Crucially, the heads of Peru’s armed forces and the police pledged their support for Vizcarra.