On 9 November 2020, the Congress impeached and removed President Martín Vizcarra from office on the grounds of "moral incapacity", a vague term dating back to the 19th century. The move was seen as a coup by many Peruvians,political analysts and media outlets in the country, with Vizcarra's removal resulting with the beginning of the 2020 Peruvian protests. The following day, as the President of the Peruvian Congress, Merino became the new president of Peru following the line of succession established in the nation's constitution, forming a far-right government. Five days after taking office, he resigned from the presidency as a result of two deaths in the protests. He was succeeded by Francisco Sagasti.