Demonstrators who had gathered to protest lawmakers pushing forward a vote to select an almost-full slate of new magistrates to the Constitutional Tribunal, celebrate after President Martin Vizcarra dissolved the legislature in Lima, Peru, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Lawmakers were pushing forward the vote despite Vizcarra’s warning that the move threatens his fight against corruption and that he would dissolve the opposition-controlled legislature. (Martin Mejia/Associated Press)LIMA, Peru — Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra dissolved congress Monday, exercising seldom used executive powers to shut down the opposition-controlled legislature that he accuses of stonewalling attempts to curb widespread corruption. In a televised address, Vizcarra told the South American nation that he had decided to call new legislative elections after lawmakers proceeded with holding a controversial vote to replace almost all the members of the Constitutional Tribunal. “Peruvians will not shed many tears,” said Steven Levitsky, a Harvard University political scientist who has extensively studied the nation.

Source: Washington Post September 30, 2019 20:02 UTC