Sat 03 August 2019:
Pedro Pierluisi is next in line to be governor, but Senate must approve his appointment.
As Puerto Rico governor Ricardo Rossello resigned as promised, he cleared the way for veteran politician Pedro Pierluisi to be sworn in as his replacement late on Friday.
Rossello stepped down in response to weeks of protests over mismanagement and a series of leaked obscenity-laced chats, in which he and advisers – who have also resigned – made fun of women, gay people and hurricane victims.
He handpicked Pierluisi to succeed him, but the latest development throws the United States territory into a period of fresh political chaos amid accusations that Pierluisi does not represent change.
The governor of Puerto Rico is the head of government in the territory, and since 1948 has been elected by the people of the island.
Four hours lafter he was sworn in, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz said on Twitter that the municipality at 8am on Monday (1200GMT) would challenge Pierluisi’s new position.
Meanwhile, a well-respected lawyers’ organisation, the American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico National Chapter (ACLUPR), accused Pierluisi of “hijacking the constitution”.
After taking the oath at his sister’s house, Pierluisi emerged at the governor’s residence to address the press and promised only to serve as governor until the Senate’s hearing on his nomination, which was moved up to Monday.
If the Senate votes no, Pierluisi said he will step down and hand the governorship to the justice secretary, Wanda Vazquez, the next in line under the constitution.
Nothing more was heard from Rossello.
Pierluisi said he was “fully capable and authorised to act, but Senate will have its say”. Depending on the Senate’s action, his tenure “could be very short-lived”, he said.
He did not plan to move into the governor’s mansion until after the vote. He also said he would avoid any major changes and concentrate on meeting with top government officials.
“The prevailing mood in Puerto Rico is that of a celebration, due to the definitive exit of Rosello. It is a significant achievement and is valued that way,” said Carlos Lugo,an independent researcher and scholar, told media.
“But assemblies are being held to agree on actions against the oath of Pierluisi. In that sense, the current feeling is that the struggle continues … the oath of Pierluisi is perceived as an arbitrary act of force.
“I believe that Puerto Rico currently lives under a state where the law follows the fact.” Rossello dismissed the need for the House of Representatives and Senate to confirm Pierluisi, saying it was an appointment by the governor when the Senate is in recess.
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