Peru appoints Jose Maria Balcazar as new president following Jose Jeris removal

Peru’s Congress Appoints Interim President Jose Maria Balcazar

Peru’s Congress has voted to appoint Jose Maria Balcazar as interim president, replacing Jose Jeri, who was removed from office on Tuesday. The vote marks Peru’s ninth president in a decade and will serve until the country holds its general election in April.

Balcazar, 83, will assume the presidency for an interim period of approximately 53 days, with his term set to end on July 28. If no candidate gains more than 50 percent of the vote in the general election, a run-off will be held in June.

The appointment comes after a tumultuous series of events, including Jeri’s removal and Balcazar’s own controversy-ridden past. In an initial round of voting, Balcazar received 46 votes, while Maria del Carmen Alva came out ahead with 43 votes. However, the left-wing party Together for Peru boycotted the second round, allowing Balcazar to win with a tally of 113 congressional votes.

Balcazar’s past has been marked by controversy, including disciplinary hearings and investigations into corruption and scandal. He has also faced criticism for his defense of child marriage and involvement in bribery scandals. Despite these controversies, Balcazar was able to unify enough lawmakers to secure the vote.

Jeri, who was one of the youngest presidents to lead Peru, had been impeached twice before being removed from office. His predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was also impeached in December 2022 after attempting a self-coup. Castillo is currently facing charges related to rebellion and conspiracy against the state.

The appointment of Balcazar as interim president marks another significant development in Peru’s ongoing struggle with governance instability. The country will hold its general election on April 12, with the outcome set to determine the next permanent president.

Source: Al Jazeera