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Pedro Pierluisi (c) in Washington in January 2013. Pedro Pierluisi was the delegate of Puerto Rico to the US House of Representatives, where he could sit but was not allowed to vote in plenary. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB

Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello, who announced his resignation last week after major protests calling for his departure, appointed Pedro Pierluisi to succeed him until elections were held in November 2020. But Pedro's profile Pierluisi is far from unanimous.

In Puerto Rico, the resigning governor Ricardo Rossello has finally designated his potential successor. In a tweet, he announces the appointment of Pedro Pierluisi as Secretary of State. The latter will become the first in the line of succession after effective departure of Rossello Friday at 17h local, which would avoid a power vacuum after weeks of demonstrations. But the profile of Pedro Pierluisi is far from unanimous, in the street as among the elected members of Parliament who have yet to confirm his position.

It would be a nice rebound for Pedro Pierluisi, three years after his failure at the New Progressive Party primary against the current governor Ricardo Rossello. Former Secretary of Justice, he was mainly for 8 years, the delegate from Puerto Rico to the House of Representatives in Washington. This political career could be a good business card, but also place for the protesters in the box of corrupt potential.

His main weak point is the latest addition to his resume. In 2017, Pedro Pierluisi, a lawyer by training, returns to the private sector. He works as a consultant for the body that controls Puerto Rico's public finances since the island proved unable to repay its debt. An oversight committee controlled by the United States, which imposes drastic austerity measures and is therefore not seen favorably by Puerto Ricans. His brother-in-law is still the president.

Several parliamentarians already announce that Pedro Pierluisi will not be able to defend the interests of his country independently. This is the case of the powerful president of the Senate, who was also expected to succeed the governor. Verdict, this Thursday, August 1st. The confirmation vote will take place at a special meeting of both Houses of the Legislative Assembly.