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| Puerto Rico Governor Names Pedro Pierluisi as His Possible Successor | Puerto Rico Governor Names Pedro Pierluisi as His Possible Successor |
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| SAN JUAN, P.R. — The ousted governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo A. Rosselló, chose his successor on Wednesday, nominating Pedro R. Pierluisi, who formerly represented the island in Congress, to serve as secretary of state. The move positions Mr. Pierluisi to take over as governor when Mr. Rosselló’s resignation becomes effective later this week. | SAN JUAN, P.R. — The ousted governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo A. Rosselló, chose his successor on Wednesday, nominating Pedro R. Pierluisi, who formerly represented the island in Congress, to serve as secretary of state. The move positions Mr. Pierluisi to take over as governor when Mr. Rosselló’s resignation becomes effective later this week. |
| “After much analysis and taking into account the best interests of our people, I have selected Mr. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia to fill the secretary of state vacancy,” Mr. Rosselló said in a statement. He said he would call a special session of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, the day before he is scheduled to step down, to confirm the appointment. | “After much analysis and taking into account the best interests of our people, I have selected Mr. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia to fill the secretary of state vacancy,” Mr. Rosselló said in a statement. He said he would call a special session of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, the day before he is scheduled to step down, to confirm the appointment. |
| Mr. Rosselló said he considered several choices and ultimately picked Mr. Pierluisi for his experience as resident commissioner in Washington and as secretary of justice under Mr. Rosselló’s father, former Gov. Pedro J. Rosselló. | Mr. Rosselló said he considered several choices and ultimately picked Mr. Pierluisi for his experience as resident commissioner in Washington and as secretary of justice under Mr. Rosselló’s father, former Gov. Pedro J. Rosselló. |
| The younger Mr. Rosselló said that Mr. Pierluisi intends to serve through the end of the term but would not seek the governor’s office in 2020. | The younger Mr. Rosselló said that Mr. Pierluisi intends to serve through the end of the term but would not seek the governor’s office in 2020. |
| “His aspiration is to complete this term, so that the successes we have achieved do not disappear,” Mr. Rosselló said. “The electoral process that will begin in the coming months will allow other highly qualified leaders to put their ideas and character to the people’s consideration, as Pierluisi and I did in the last primary.” | “His aspiration is to complete this term, so that the successes we have achieved do not disappear,” Mr. Rosselló said. “The electoral process that will begin in the coming months will allow other highly qualified leaders to put their ideas and character to the people’s consideration, as Pierluisi and I did in the last primary.” |
| If he is confirmed by the territory’s House and Senate, Mr. Pierluisi’s nomination would settle the complicated succession question that has thrown the island into uncertainty in the days since Mr. Rosselló’s unprecedented resignation. He announced his imminent exit last Wednesday, under fire for his participation in a leaked exchange of rude and profane text messages and pressured by a mass uprising of Puerto Ricans fed up with corruption, a stagnant economy and a poor response to Hurricane Maria in 2017. | If he is confirmed by the territory’s House and Senate, Mr. Pierluisi’s nomination would settle the complicated succession question that has thrown the island into uncertainty in the days since Mr. Rosselló’s unprecedented resignation. He announced his imminent exit last Wednesday, under fire for his participation in a leaked exchange of rude and profane text messages and pressured by a mass uprising of Puerto Ricans fed up with corruption, a stagnant economy and a poor response to Hurricane Maria in 2017. |
| But Mr. Pierluisi’s confirmation seems far from certain, as a tense power struggle continues inside the ruling New Progressive Party, which supports Puerto Rican statehood. The powerful Senate president, Thomas Rivera Schatz, a contender for the secretary of state job himself, let it be known before the nomination was even official — by calling a well-known local radio host — that Mr. Pierluisi would not have enough votes to win confirmation in the Senate. | But Mr. Pierluisi’s confirmation seems far from certain, as a tense power struggle continues inside the ruling New Progressive Party, which supports Puerto Rican statehood. The powerful Senate president, Thomas Rivera Schatz, a contender for the secretary of state job himself, let it be known before the nomination was even official — by calling a well-known local radio host — that Mr. Pierluisi would not have enough votes to win confirmation in the Senate. |
| Under Puerto Rico’s Constitution, the secretary of state automatically replaces a governor who leaves office. But the last official to hold the post, Luis Rivera Marín, stepped down over his role in the leaked private exchange of sexist and homophobic messages that precipitated the political crisis. His departure created a critical vacancy ahead of Mr. Rosselló’s resignation, which becomes effective at 5 p.m. on Friday. | Under Puerto Rico’s Constitution, the secretary of state automatically replaces a governor who leaves office. But the last official to hold the post, Luis Rivera Marín, stepped down over his role in the leaked private exchange of sexist and homophobic messages that precipitated the political crisis. His departure created a critical vacancy ahead of Mr. Rosselló’s resignation, which becomes effective at 5 p.m. on Friday. |
| It left Wanda Vázquez, the secretary of justice, next in line. Mr. Rosselló posted photos on Twitter last week after he announced his resignation showing Ms. Vázquez attending “transition” meetings at La Fortaleza, the governor’s official residence in San Juan, the capital. | It left Wanda Vázquez, the secretary of justice, next in line. Mr. Rosselló posted photos on Twitter last week after he announced his resignation showing Ms. Vázquez attending “transition” meetings at La Fortaleza, the governor’s official residence in San Juan, the capital. |
| But Ms. Vázquez made clear that she was not a politician and preferred not to step in as governor. Hundreds of protesters, denouncing Ms. Vázquez’s close ties to the disgraced Mr. Rosselló, rallied outside the Justice Department on Monday, rejecting her as the governor’s successor and demanding that she, too, resign. | But Ms. Vázquez made clear that she was not a politician and preferred not to step in as governor. Hundreds of protesters, denouncing Ms. Vázquez’s close ties to the disgraced Mr. Rosselló, rallied outside the Justice Department on Monday, rejecting her as the governor’s successor and demanding that she, too, resign. |
| Behind the scenes, Mr. Rosselló, 40, a first-term governor who took office in 2017, negotiated with legislative leaders from the New Progressive Party to try to find a consensus candidate who could be left in charge of the troubled government until next year’s election. | Behind the scenes, Mr. Rosselló, 40, a first-term governor who took office in 2017, negotiated with legislative leaders from the New Progressive Party to try to find a consensus candidate who could be left in charge of the troubled government until next year’s election. |
| But it was difficult for leaders to find a candidate who could be confirmed by the Legislative Assembly and be acceptable to the public. Puerto Ricans who took to the streets to call for Mr. Rosselló’s ouster said repeatedly that they were tired of crony politics. | But it was difficult for leaders to find a candidate who could be confirmed by the Legislative Assembly and be acceptable to the public. Puerto Ricans who took to the streets to call for Mr. Rosselló’s ouster said repeatedly that they were tired of crony politics. |
| The choice of Mr. Pierluisi, 60, suggests that Mr. Rosselló remains determined to keep Mr. Rivera Schatz, one of his rivals in the party, from succeeding him. If confirmed, Mr. Pierluisi, who narrowly lost the party’s 2016 primary for governor to Mr. Rosselló, is expected to serve as a caretaker governor for the remainder of Mr. Rosselló’s four-year term. | The choice of Mr. Pierluisi, 60, suggests that Mr. Rosselló remains determined to keep Mr. Rivera Schatz, one of his rivals in the party, from succeeding him. If confirmed, Mr. Pierluisi, who narrowly lost the party’s 2016 primary for governor to Mr. Rosselló, is expected to serve as a caretaker governor for the remainder of Mr. Rosselló’s four-year term. |
| Mr. Pierluisi served eight years in Washington as Puerto Rico’s nonvoting resident commissioner in Congress during the Obama administration. Like Mr. Rosselló, he is a Democrat when it comes to national politics, though many New Progressives are Republicans. | Mr. Pierluisi served eight years in Washington as Puerto Rico’s nonvoting resident commissioner in Congress during the Obama administration. Like Mr. Rosselló, he is a Democrat when it comes to national politics, though many New Progressives are Republicans. |
| “I have listened to the people’s messages, their demonstrations, their demands and their concerns,” Mr. Pierluisi said in a statement accepting the nomination. “And in this new challenge in my life, I will only answer to the people.” | |
| It was unclear whether Mr. Pierluisi would be welcomed by the thousands of Puerto Ricans whose street protests ended Mr. Rosselló’s term as governor. | It was unclear whether Mr. Pierluisi would be welcomed by the thousands of Puerto Ricans whose street protests ended Mr. Rosselló’s term as governor. |
| Gisela Gómez, 45, who sells homemade sweets to tourists, said she participated in the massive march last week to oust the governor and was pleased with his selection. “We have to run all of the corrupt ones out, and replace it with a new government,” Ms. Gómez said. “I don’t know much about politics, but from what I have heard, of all of them out there, he is the best one.” | Gisela Gómez, 45, who sells homemade sweets to tourists, said she participated in the massive march last week to oust the governor and was pleased with his selection. “We have to run all of the corrupt ones out, and replace it with a new government,” Ms. Gómez said. “I don’t know much about politics, but from what I have heard, of all of them out there, he is the best one.” |
| Juan Pagán, 57, a cabdriver who was standing on a street corner in Old San Juan hoping to pick up cruise ship passengers, said that although he does not vote for the New Progressive Party, he thinks Mr. Pierluisi is an acceptable candidate. | Juan Pagán, 57, a cabdriver who was standing on a street corner in Old San Juan hoping to pick up cruise ship passengers, said that although he does not vote for the New Progressive Party, he thinks Mr. Pierluisi is an acceptable candidate. |
| “At least he’s the least bad,” Mr. Pagán said. “The party is completely corrupt. History has said that that is the most corrupt party in history,” he added, noting that there were dozens of arrests during the administration of Mr. Rosselló’s father. | “At least he’s the least bad,” Mr. Pagán said. “The party is completely corrupt. History has said that that is the most corrupt party in history,” he added, noting that there were dozens of arrests during the administration of Mr. Rosselló’s father. |
| Bernardo Burgos Vázquez, 68, referred to concerns that Mr. Pierluisi, a lawyer, could have a conflict of interest because he works for a firm that does external legal consulting for the unelected federal oversight board that oversees Puerto Rico’s finances. On Tuesday, Mr. Pierluisi was placed on a leave of absence from the law firm, O’Neill & Borges, according to the firm’s website. | Bernardo Burgos Vázquez, 68, referred to concerns that Mr. Pierluisi, a lawyer, could have a conflict of interest because he works for a firm that does external legal consulting for the unelected federal oversight board that oversees Puerto Rico’s finances. On Tuesday, Mr. Pierluisi was placed on a leave of absence from the law firm, O’Neill & Borges, according to the firm’s website. |
| In any case, it should not be a serious problem, Mr. Vázquez said. | In any case, it should not be a serious problem, Mr. Vázquez said. |
| “You have to give a break to the people who are fighting for the best for the people,” he said. “They almost always judge people for things that they have not even done.” | “You have to give a break to the people who are fighting for the best for the people,” he said. “They almost always judge people for things that they have not even done.” |
| Mr. Pierluisi’s brother-in-law, José B. Carrión III, remains the chairman of the oversight board, which was created by Congress. The New York Times found in 2016 that Mr. Pierluisi introduced legislation as resident commissioner that would benefit at least two Wall Street companies that had hired his wife, María Elena Carrión, for financial advice. (Mr. Pierluisi and Ms. Carrión are in the process of divorcing, the Puerto Rican news media have reported.) | Mr. Pierluisi’s brother-in-law, José B. Carrión III, remains the chairman of the oversight board, which was created by Congress. The New York Times found in 2016 that Mr. Pierluisi introduced legislation as resident commissioner that would benefit at least two Wall Street companies that had hired his wife, María Elena Carrión, for financial advice. (Mr. Pierluisi and Ms. Carrión are in the process of divorcing, the Puerto Rican news media have reported.) |
| Mr. Pierluisi’s ties to the unpopular oversight board are unlikely to sit well with some lawmakers. | Mr. Pierluisi’s ties to the unpopular oversight board are unlikely to sit well with some lawmakers. |
| “That could do some damage,” Representative Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló, the House majority leader, said in an interview on Tuesday. | “That could do some damage,” Representative Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló, the House majority leader, said in an interview on Tuesday. |
| Many protesters, when calling for Mr. Rosselló’s resignation, also spoke out against the oversight board, urging him, “Llévate a la junta” — Take the board with you. | Many protesters, when calling for Mr. Rosselló’s resignation, also spoke out against the oversight board, urging him, “Llévate a la junta” — Take the board with you. |
| If Mr. Pierluisi is not confirmed by Friday afternoon, Ms. Vázquez would become governor. | If Mr. Pierluisi is not confirmed by Friday afternoon, Ms. Vázquez would become governor. |
| Mr. Rivera Schatz is known to dislike Ms. Vázquez and to harbor ambitions to run for governor himself next year. And he holds considerable sway within his party; he became its interim leader after Mr. Rosselló relinquished the role of president. | Mr. Rivera Schatz is known to dislike Ms. Vázquez and to harbor ambitions to run for governor himself next year. And he holds considerable sway within his party; he became its interim leader after Mr. Rosselló relinquished the role of president. |
| But he, too, is considered a divisive figure. The protesters who marched against Mr. Rosselló and then Ms. Vázquez also chanted to Mr. Rivera Schatz: “No te vistas, que no vas” — Don’t get dressed; it’s not going to be you. | But he, too, is considered a divisive figure. The protesters who marched against Mr. Rosselló and then Ms. Vázquez also chanted to Mr. Rivera Schatz: “No te vistas, que no vas” — Don’t get dressed; it’s not going to be you. |
| In a statement on Wednesday, Mr. Rivera Schatz said the confirmation process will play out and lawmakers will perform their constitutional duty. But he did not mention Mr. Pierluisi by name, or refer to his chances at winning the Senate vote. “There is no problem that does not have a solution, and in Puerto Rico we should focus on solutions,” Mr. Rivera Schatz said. “We should promote unity, not discord.” |