Peru was effectively without a president yesterday after the resignation of both scandal-plagued President Alberto Fujimori, holed up in Japan, and his choice as successor.
One of two politicians from different sides of the political spectrum was now likely to become interim president until April elections: either Fujimori's former running mate, Francisco Tudela, or the moderate opposition head of Congress, Valentin Paniagua.
PHOTO: AFP
Fujimori's exit that ended 10 years of hard-line rule was followed by the resignation on Monday of Second Vice President Ricardo Marquez, who said he wanted "to bring stability" by stepping aside. It put the opposition a step closer to gaining Peru's leadership.
It was not clear whether Tudela would do so. Although he quit as first vice president in October, Congress never formally accepted the resignation, which has left him first in line under the constitution to assume the presidency.
But Peru's opposition, which last week gained control of Congress for the first time in eight years, has insisted on its man, Paniagua.
"I hope Paniagua will be confirmed tomorrow [yesterday] as president of a transitional government," main opposition leader Alejandro Toledo told local Panamericana television.
Toledo flew back from Spain after news on Sunday that Fujimori would resign following a two-month political crisis sparked by corruption allegations against his former spy chief and top aide Vladimiro Montesinos.
Toledo says he was cheated of victory in elections this year when he claims Fujimori rigged a third-term win.
Tainted by bribery allegations against Montesinos, Fujimori said in September that he was slashing his five-year term to one year and would quit in July after new elections in April.
But Fujimori said in a resignation letter to lawmakers that he felt the need to step down even earlier to keep Peru from spiraling out of control before scheduled April elections. "Without [my resignation], the country would be committing suicide," the son of Japanese immigrants wrote.
Fujimori said yesterday at a news conference outside of his hotel in Japan that he wants to stay in the country.
It has "nothing to do with the scandal," he said.
``I want to go back [to Peru] someday, but I don't know when,'' Fujimori said.
``I should be here for a long time,'' he added. ``Now, I am going to the Foreign Ministry to make it official.''
Fujimori, here on a diplomatic passport and visa after a Pacific Rim summit in Brunei, stressed that he is not requesting political asylum.
The unraveling was a dismal finale for Fujimori, 62, who won praise in his 10 years in office as a brave, hands-on leader who beat leftist rebels and curbed hyperinflation but whose government rated low on human rights.
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