Peruvian Congress picks José María Balcázar as new interim president

The Peruvian Congress elected José María Balcázar as the country’s new interim president Wednesday, one day after lawmakers removed his predecessor, José Jerí, amid allegations of misconduct. The 83-year-old veteran legislator, a lawyer and former judge, secured a majority in a second round of voting, defeating rival María del Carmen Alva.  As interim president, Balcázar is now also head of Congress. He will serve as head of state until the newly elected president takes office. Elections are scheduled for April 12, and the new leader will be inaugurated on July 28. Balcázar’s ascension comes on the heels of Jerí’s swift removal. The 39-year-old received a motion of censorship following a scandal involving undisclosed meetings with Chinese businessmen that led to accusations of influence peddling. In a late Wednesday-night ceremony in Lima, Balcázar vowed to oversee the forthcoming general election and the subsequent transition.  Who is José María Balcázar? The election of José María Balcázar as interim president places a seasoned — and at times controversial — figure at the helm of Peru during yet another delicate transition. Balcázar trained as a lawyer and built his early career within the judiciary, later serving as a judge before entering politics. As a member of Congress over the past decade, he has become known for his staunchly conservative positions and combative interventions. Politically, he is aligned with Peru Libre, a Marxist-leaning party that rose to prominence with the election of Pedro Castillo. The far-left party advocates a stronger role for the state in the economy and and nationalist policies, as well as a constitutional reform. Supporters describe him as an experienced jurist with a deep understanding of constitutional procedure — an asset in a country where presidential impeachments and cabinet reshuffles have become disconcertingly frequent. They argue his legal background positions him to safeguard due process and oversee the transition with institutional rigor. Critics, however, point to past remarks on gender and social policy issues that sparked backlash from civil society organizations. Whether his tenure will calm political tempers or further inflame divisions remains an open question in a country weary of uncertainty.