Peruvian congress impeaches president

Peru’s congress has voted to impeach President Martin Vizcarra over allegations he handed out government contracts in return for bribes.

Mr Vizcarra said he would accept the vote, not take any legal action and leave the presidential palace.

The speaker of congress, Manuel Merino, is expected to assume the presidency until July 2021, when Mr Vizcarra’s term was due to end.

It is the second attempt over the last two months to oust the president.

Mr Vizcarra has previously denied allegations that he accepted bribes worth 2.3 million soles when he was governor of the southern Moquegua region.