Puerto Rico Supreme Court says new governor has to leave office

Just days after his swearing-in, Puerto Rico's new governor has been ordered to leave office.

The Puerto Rico Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Wednesday that swearing in Pedro Pierluisi as governor on Aug. 2 was unconstitutional and that he must resign, reports The Associated Press.

Ricardo Rosselló had selected Pierluisi as his successor before leaving office amid a corruption scandal and outrage over offensive private chats of his that were leaked. Under Puerto Rico's line of succession, the secretary of state would become governor, and so while that office was vacant when Rosselló announced his resignation, he made a recess appointment of Pierluisi shortly before stepping down.

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But while Pierluisi had been confirmed as secretary of state by Puerto Rico's House prior to his swearing-in as governor, the Senate had not yet done so, creating controversy as some argued it was unconstitutional for him to be sworn in without being Senate-confirmed to the job that placed him in the line of succession. Others argued he only needed confirmation from the House in this situation, citing a 2005 law that said a secretary of state didn't need both House and Senate approval when taking over as governor. The Puerto Rico Senate subsequently sued, leading to this Supreme Court decision.

The Puerto Rico Supreme Court ultimately decided that Pierluisi did need both House and Senate confirmation and that portion of the 2005 law is unconstitutional. Pierluisi had said he would step aside should the Supreme Court come to this decision. In line for the governor job is now Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez, who previously said she has "no interest in occupying the position of governor" but that she would "assume the responsibility" if necessary.