2019–2020 Peruvian constitutional crisis participant Martín Vizcarra Cornejo
The 2019–2020 Peruvian constitutional crisis began when President Martín Vizcarra dissolved the Congress of Peru on 30 September 2019 considering a de facto denial of the vote of confidence. The majority of lawmakers, opponents and Fujimorists viewed Vizcarra's actions as a "coup" or "self-coup" while some compared the event to the 1992 Peruvian self-coup. Congress responded by declaring Vizcarra's presidency suspended and appointed Vice President Mercedes Aráoz as interim president. During the evening hours, the heads of the Peruvian Armed Forces shared a photograph beside Vizcarra in the Government Palace amidst the crisis, putting forward their support for him.By the next day, 1 October 2019, Congress' moves were largely seen as null and void; interim president Aráoz announced her resignation and Vizcarra issued a decree for legislative snap elections to be held on 26 January 2020.Public opinion
Public opinion polls by the Institute of Peruvian Studies (IEP) showed that 84% of respondents approved of Vizcarra's move to dissolve Congress. A similar poll by Peruvian pollster CPI found 89.5% of respondents supported the dissolution of Congress.Martín Vizcarra
The contested President Martín Vizcarra questioned the legality of the Congressional inauguration of Vice President Mercedes Aráoz as Interim President and the members involved in this act of challenge of authority. You can't just say 'I've sworn in as President, but I was just kidding.' Swearing into a public office in a legislative institution in front of a congressional audience is a legal action in the moment.