In Peru, a power struggle between President Martín Vizcarra and the conservative-dominated parliament has escalated. Vizcarra first dissolved Congress on Monday and announced new elections. Parliament then decided to suspend the President. The parliamentarians appointed Vice President Mercedes Aráoz as Transitional President.

Background is a dispute over the occupation of judicial posts at the Peruvian Constitutional Court. Vizcarra said on Monday in a televised address that "no agreement" could be reached with Parliament.

Actually, the next parliamentary and presidential elections should take place in April 2021. In 1992, a president had dissolved the parliament in the South American state.

Vizcarra has been Peruvian president since last year. The 56-year-old, until then Vice President, replaced the resigned due to corruption allegations President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.