SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governing party is in full-blown crisis as the nominee to succeed departing Gov. Ricardo Rosselló heads to a disputed and uncertain confirmation vote in the U.S. territory’s legislature.
Rosselló is leaving Friday in the face of massive public protest and has nominated veteran politician Pedro Pierluisi to succeed him.
Pierluisi is a former representative to the U.S. Congress seen by most ordinary Puerto Ricans as a conciliatory, relatively uncontroversial figure. He would succeed Rosselló if he’s confirmed by the territorial House and Senate as secretary of state, the next in line to become governor.
Pierluisi’s main obstacle appears to be Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, who has said he won’t vote for Rosselló’s nominee and wants to be governor himself.
