Peru's Congress elects Jose Maria Balcazar as interim president amid corruption crisis

2026-02-19 - 12:42

Peru's Congress selected leftist lawmaker Jose Maria Balcazar as the nation's new interim president Wednesday, following the abrupt removal of his predecessor amid corruption investigations. The 83-year-old legislator secured the most votes in a parliamentary session, becoming the eighth individual to hold Peru's highest office in the past ten years as the country careens through another political crisis. Jeri's Ouster and Allegations Lawmakers voted Tuesday to censure interim President Jose Jeri, ending his brief four-month tenure. Legislators accused Jeri of lacking suitability to oversee the transition to scheduled elections, citing multiple corruption probes. Peruvian media and prosecutors report Jeri is under investigation for alleged influence peddling, including undisclosed meetings with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang, whose company received government approval for a major hydroelectric project following the encounters. Jeri has denied all wrongdoing. He had assumed the presidency in October after Dina Boluarte was removed amid widespread protests and abuse of power allegations. Election Context and Stability Concerns Balcazar will serve as interim head of state until July 28, when Peru is scheduled to hold presidential elections. Political parties have already launched campaigns, though analysts warn that persistent instability could erode voter confidence and complicate efforts to address the nation's economic and social challenges. The rapid turnover in leadership underscores the fragility of Peru's democratic institutions as the country navigates yet another transition ahead of national elections.