Martin Vizcarra replaces Pedro Pablo Kuczynski as President of Peru

World Today

In Peru, the end of a tumultuous week.

On Friday, Martin Vizcarra was sworn in as the country’s new president, after the Congress agreed to accept the resignation of former president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

The move ends speculation about whether Kucyznski would be impeached over alleged connections with the Brazilian construction company, Odebrecht.

CGTN’s Dan Collyns has more.

Martin Vizcarra is the new president of Peru. The 55-year-old former regional governor arrived in Peru on Friday from Canada, where he was Peru’s ambassador.

Addressing Peru’s Congress, he said the country needed to move on.

“We are coming to the bicentenary of our nation in a time of instability and institutional ruin which no Peruvian could want,” Vizcarra said. “The time has come to say ‘Enough!'”

His rapid appointment follows the shock resignation of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on Wednesday.

Kuczynski stepped down as he faced a new corruption scandal on the eve of a second impeachment vote for his alleged corrupt ties to Brazilian firm Odebrecht

Addressing the nation this week, he said he’d been the victim of a malicious campaign by the dominant political opposition.

“In the face of this difficult situation that has developed and has unjustly made me appear guilty of acts that I have not participated in, I think the best thing for the country is that I resign as President of the Republic,” he said.

The opposition released secretly filmed videos appearing to show members of his government and other allies trying to buy votes against the impeachment from opposition lawmakers.

On Thursday, amid violent clashes with the police, scandal-weary Peruvians marched in a protest calling for all politicians to go.

Given Peruvians’ frustration with their elected representatives, the incoming president’s low profile could work in his favor.

The three-and-a-half year term stretching before Vizcarra could provide him with an opportunity to improve the political atmosphere.