Peru president’s ousting throws nation’s anti-corruption drive into doubt

A man holds a poster with an image of Peru’s newly sworn-in President Manuel Merino with a message that reads in Spanish: “He is not my president,” during a protest by people who are refusing to recognise the new government (Rodrigo Abd/AP)

The decision of Peru’s legislature to vote popular president Martin Vizcarra from office this week likely put the country’s best chance at making a dent on endemic corruption on hold.

The chief of state had emerged as the country’s most vocal proponent in pushing through measures to end decades of dirty politics.