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The unanimous ruling ousted Pierluisi and paved the way for Wanda VĂĄzquez, the secretary of justice, to take the oath of office as Puerto Ricoâs third governor in five days.
With her husband and daughter by her side, VĂĄzquez was sworn in by Chief Justice Maite D. Oronoz RodrĂguez at the Supreme Court in San Juan, the capital.
âPuerto Rico needs certainty and stability,â VĂĄzquez, who had previously said she did not want the job, said in a statement before her swearing-in. She became the second female governor in Puerto Rican history.
The 29-page ruling said Pierluisi could not remain as governor, and called for âan orderly succession.â
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Shortly before 5 p.m., Pierluisi said he would step aside. He had earlier left La Fortaleza, the governorâs official residence, in a black SUV with tinted windows.
âI want to be clear that the only motivation I have had during this time, as always, has been the well-being of Puerto Rico,â he said in a statement, in which he wished VĂĄzquez well in her new role. âThis is a time when we must all unite for Puerto Rico, leaving behind any partisan, ideological or personal agendas.â
The court ruled in favor of the Puerto Rico Senate, which sued late Sunday asking the court to issue a preliminary injunction against Pierluisi taking over the office of chief executive. He became governor Friday, even though he had not been confirmed as secretary of state by both chambers of the Legislative Assembly. Only the House of Representatives approved his recess appointment.
To justify Pierluisiâs ascent to the governorâs seat, Pierluisi and his predecessor, Ricardo RossellĂł, cited a 2005 statute that said the secretary of state did not require legislative confirmation to step in as governor. On Wednesday, the court declared that portion of the law unconstitutional. The rest of the law, regarding the line of succession, is valid, the court found.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.