Puerto Rico has a new governor — for now
Puerto Rico's former Governor Ricardo Rosselló is out, but the controversy over the state of the office is not finished.
Veteran politician Pedro Pierluisi on Friday was sworn in by a judge as Puerto Rico's governor, after Rosselló, as promised, resigned amid protests that emerged after a vulgar private chat between he and his top aides leaked. Pierluisi was Rosselló's hand-picked successor, but his appointment has not yet been ratified by Puerto Rico's Senate. And it looks like it won't be easy for Pierluisi to convince the Senate he's the right person for the job.
Critics have argued that the appointment is unconstitutional; Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz described it as "unethical" and "illegal." San Juan's Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz tweeted that the municipality would challenge Pierluisi's swearing in first thing on Monday morning. Puerto Rico's citizens reportedly think that Pierluisi will merely continue the mismanagement of Rosselló's administration.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Ideally, we would clean the entire house," Roxana López, a 34-year-old musician, told The Associated Press.
Pierluisi said if he is not ratified, Puerto Rico's secretary of justice will be next in line to fill the role. Pierluisi will reportedly not move into the government's mansion yet and said he will avoid any major changes until after the Senate votes next week.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published