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Peru's New President Calls for Early Elections


A protestor waves a Peruvian flag as police officers stand guard during a protest demanding the dissolution of Congress and to hold democratic elections rather than recognize Dina Boluarte as Peru's President, in Lima, Peru Dec. 11, 2022.
A protestor waves a Peruvian flag as police officers stand guard during a protest demanding the dissolution of Congress and to hold democratic elections rather than recognize Dina Boluarte as Peru's President, in Lima, Peru Dec. 11, 2022.

Dina Boluarte, Peru's new president, says she will send a proposal to Congress Monday to move general elections up two years to April 2024, instead of 2026.

Her early Monday announcement in a nationally televised address follows deadly demonstrations Sunday across the Andean nation, including in Lima, the capital, calling for new elections after the ousting Wednesday of leftist President Pedro Castillo who sought to dissolve Congress and rule by decree.

Boluarte, a former prosecutor and Castillo's vice president, was sworn into office after Castillo's removal. She named another former prosecutor Pedro Angulo as prime minister.

Two people, including a teenager, died in the demonstrations protesting Castillo's removal.

Riot police run during clashes with supporters of ousted President Pedro Castillo in front of Congress in Lima, Peru, Dec. 11, 2022.
Riot police run during clashes with supporters of ousted President Pedro Castillo in front of Congress in Lima, Peru, Dec. 11, 2022.

Boluarte is Peru's sixth president since 2016.

Castillo's 17-month tenure included six investigations against him and his family, mass protests demanding his removal, and a power struggle with the opposition-backed Congress.

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