Manuel Merino | |
|---|---|
| 61st President of Peru | |
| In office 10 November 2020 – 15 November 2020 | |
| Prime Minister | Ántero Flores Aráoz |
| Vice President |
|
| Preceded by | Martín Vizcarra |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Sagasti |
| President of Congress | |
| In office 16 March 2020 – 15 November 2020 | |
| Vice President |
|
| Preceded by | Pedro Olaechea |
| Succeeded by | Rocío Silva Santisteban (Acting) |
| First Vice President of Congress | |
| In office 25 July 2011 – 26 July 2012 | |
| President | Daniel Abugattás |
| Preceded by | Alejandro Aguinaga |
| Succeeded by | Marco Falconí |
| Member of Congress | |
| In office 15 November 2020 – 26 July 2021 | |
| Constituency | Tumbes |
| In office 16 March 2020 – 10 November 2020 | |
| Constituency | Tumbes |
| In office 25 July 2011 – 26 July 2016 | |
| Constituency | Tumbes |
| In office 26 July 2001 – 26 July 2006 | |
| Constituency | Tumbes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Manuel Arturo Merino de Lama 20 August 1961 Tumbes, Peru |
| Nationality | Peruvian |
| Political party | Popular Action |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | National University of Tumbes |
| Occupation | Politician, Agronomist |
Manuel Arturo Merino de Lama (born 20 August 1961) is a Peruvian politician and agronomist who was the President of Peru from 10 November until his resignation five days later on 15 November 2020 following massive protests. He is the shortest-serving president of Peru, serving only five days.
He came to power after the removal of his predecessor, Martín Vizcarra. Duee to the vacancies of the two vice presidential offices, Merino who was the President of the Congress at that time became acting president as based on the Perivian constitution line of succession, in which if the two vice presidential offices are vacant, then the president of the congress will ascend to the presidency. However, because of massive protests at that time, Merino was forced to resign and was succeeded by Francisco Sagasti.
On 9 November 2020, the Congress impeached and removed President Martín Vizcarra from office on the grounds of "permanent moral incapacity", a vague term dating back to the 19th century. The move was seen as a coup by many Peruvians,political analysts and media outlets in the country, with Vizcarra's removal resulting with the beginning of the 2020 Peruvian protests. The following day, as the President of the Peruvian Congress, Merino became the new president of Peru following the line of succession established in the nation's constitution, forming a far-right government. Five days after taking office, he resigned from the presidency as a result of two deaths in the protests. He was succeeded by Francisco Sagasti.
Like his cabinet, made up largely of aging far-right politicians, Merino had appeared incapable of comprehending the fury of the protesters
Spanish: Aposentado en Palacio, respaldado por una organización de ultraderecha con una larga lista de almirantes, ... Merino ha pasado su primera noche como 'presidente' English: Resting in the Palace, backed by a far-right organization with a long list of admirals, ... Merino has spent his first night as 'president'
Spanish: El gabinete ministerial del nuevo presidente Manuel Merino ... es encabezado por un miembro de la descreditada vieja guardia política, vinculado a la extrema derecha. English: The ultra-conservative right wing has taken over the Peruvian government . The ministerial cabinet of the new president Manuel Merino ... is headed by a member of the discredited political old guard, linked to the extreme right.
Spanish: ... un Ejecutivo de "ancha base" pero que finalmente es de corte conservador, con miembros de derecha y ultraderecha. English: ... an Executive with a "broad base" but that is ultimately conservative, with members of the right and far right.