In a decisive move, Peru's Congress on Wednesday elected legislator José María Balcázar as the country's new interim president. This appointment comes just one day after the removal of his predecessor, José Jerí, who was ousted over corruption allegations only four months into his term.
A New Leader in a Time of Crisis
With a majority in the 130-member legislature, Balcázar secured the presidency, defeating three other candidates. This makes him Peru's eighth president in the past decade, highlighting the nation's chronic political instability. The current Congress, which began its term in 2021, has now impeached three heads of state: Pedro Castillo, Dina Boluarte, and José Jerí.
Balcázar's Background and Term
Balcázar, an 83-year-old former judge representing the leftist Perú Libre party, will govern for five months. His primary task is to hand over power to the winner of the general elections scheduled for April 12. During these elections, Peruvians will choose a new president, Chamber of Deputies, and 60 senators. If no presidential candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held in June.
Roots of Political Instability
The past decade in Peru has been characterized by frequent leadership changes, largely due to ousted or resigned leaders lacking legislative majorities. This has made them vulnerable to lawmakers who have broadly interpreted a constitutional article to remove presidents for "moral incapacity." This mechanism has been a key driver of the revolving-door presidency.
The Fall of José Jerí
In October 2025, Jerí was serving as president of Congress and was next in line to replace Boluarte, who had no vice presidents. His sudden downfall followed revelations about undisclosed meetings with Chinese state contractors. The Public Prosecutor's Office has launched two preliminary investigations into Jerí over allegations of illegal sponsorship of private interests and influence-peddling to the detriment of the state.
The Election Process and Candidates
Congress announced that four candidates had officially registered for Wednesday night's vote. To win, a candidate needed a majority of votes from those present. If no majority was reached, the two leading candidates would enter a runoff. The front-runner was initially thought to be María del Carmen Alva, a 58-year-old lawyer from the conservative Popular Action party, who previously served as speaker of Congress.
Other candidates included Héctor Acuña, a 68-year-old engineer from the conservative group Honor and Democracy, and Edgard Reymundo, a 73-year-old sociologist from the leftist Bloque Democrático. However, Balcázar emerged victorious, securing the interim role.
Challenges Ahead
Balcázar's successor will face significant challenges, including a surge in murders and extortion that continues to devastate small business owners and the working class. Additionally, various political groups are demanding firm guarantees for a transparent election process to ensure stability.
This latest leadership change underscores Peru's ongoing struggle with political fragmentation and corruption, as the nation seeks a steady hand to guide it through the remainder of its democratic cycle.
