Peruvian lawmakers on Wednesday picked Jose Maria Balcazar as the nation’s new interim president, after previous leader Jose Jeri was impeached on graft allegations.
The left-wing lawmaker was elected head of the Peruvian Congress after a vote broadcast live on TV, meaning the 83-year-old lawyer and former judge would become the country’s eighth head of state since 2016.
The vote brought to an end a power vacuum of more than 24 hours, unprecedented in the nation’s recent history.
Photo: Reuters
Balcazar is to lead the country until his successor takes office on July 28, after the presidential election on April 12.
“In these few months that remain, we will guarantee the people of Peru a peaceful and transparent democratic electoral transition, leaving no room for doubt in the elections,” Balcazar said in a speech to parliament.
Jeri, 39, became the latest leader to fall victim to a cycle of institutional turmoil, as a powerful congress battles a weakened executive against a backdrop of chronic corruption and rising violence.
On Tuesday, he was ousted by lawmakers for suspected involvement in the irregular hiring of several women in his government and alleged graft involving a Chinese businessman.
In a TikTok post on Wednesday, Jeri said: “Serving Peru was, and will remain, an honor.”
“It is not easy to resolve in a few months what has been pending for decades, but every step was taken with conviction, responsibility and dedication,” he added.
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