Francisco Sagasti elected new leader of Peru's Congress

LIMA -- Peru's Congress on Monday elected Francisco Rafael Sagasti as its new leader, a preliminary step towards the nation's presidency.

The Peruvian politician was elected by a large majority in Congress with 97 votes in favor and 26 against.

Sagasti, 76, trained as an industrial engineer, graduated from the National University of Engineering in Lima, and held public posts during the military government of Juan Velasco Alvarado (1968-1975).

Among other functions, he served as a senior executive of the World Bank, and is considered to have the political and professional experience to lead Peru through the political turmoil sparked by the impeachment of ex-President Martin Vizcarra.

Sagasti, a member of the Purple Party, won the necessary votes in Congress after a failed election on Sunday and tense negotiations that went on for more than 48 hours before culminating in his election, thanks to a broad coalition of three parties: the Broad Front, Popular Action and We Are Peru.

Peru has been roiled in the past six days as demonstrators took to the streets to protest Vizcarra's ouster, with clashes leaving two protesters dead, around 90 injured and eight missing.

In the past four years, Peru has had three presidents: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018), Vizcarra (2018-2020) and Manuel Merino, the former president of Congress who took the place of Vizcarra on Nov. 10 but resigned on Nov. 15, following the protests.

According to the Peruvian Constitution, Sagasti will serve as Peru's president until July 28, 2021. His successor will be decided through presidential elections due in April next year.

Sagasti convened legislators to a plenary session on Tuesday at 4 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), when he will be sworn in as president of the republic.