Peruvian lawmakers elected Jose Balcazar as the country's new interim president on Wednesday (18 February) ahead of general elections in April.
Balcazar, 83, becomes the country's eighth president in as many years. He replaces Jose Jeri, who was voted out of office by Congress after just four months in power. Jeri’s removal followed a scandal over undisclosed meetings with a Chinese businessman.
Election details
Lawmakers chose Balcazar over centre-right legislator Maria del Carmen Alva by 64 votes to 46 following an hours-long session in Congress.
A left-wing lawmaker, Balcazar will remain in office until the end of the current presidential term on 28 July.
"I will defend the nation's sovereignty, the physical and moral integrity of the Republic, and the independence of its democratic institutions," Balcazar said during a brief swearing-in ceremony.
Political instability
Since 2018, Peru has cycled through a succession of presidents, underscoring deep tensions between the executive branch and Congress.
Despite the political shocks, Peru's economy - the world's third-biggest copper producer - has shown resilience.
Task ahead
Balcazar now faces the mandate of steadying markets and overseeing credible elections.
Peruvians will head to the polls on 12 April to elect a new president, with a run-off vote expected in June.
Gino Costa, a former congressman, said the latest leadership change was unlikely to have a negative impact on the markets
"Nothing has changed, nor will it change, until July 28, when a new legislative and governmental term will begin," Costa said.
Jeri's short tenure
Jeri became president in October after Congress voted to remove his predecessor, Dina Boluarte.
His tenure was overshadowed by controversies, including meetings with businessman Zhihua Yang, who owns retail stores and an energy concession.
The former president apologised after footage of the meetings emerged but insisted no wrongdoing had occurred.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for nuclear concessions...
Saudi Arabia is facing a widening security challenge from Yemen as Houthi forces consolidate recent territorial gains along the Red Sea coast and s...
Here’s your AnewZ Daily Brief for 29 September 2026, with the latest from Azerbaijan, from $10.8 billion in investment deals and Formula 1 dr...
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 September 2026. These are the top stories making headlines in technology.
British police have arrested five men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act after a major security incident was declared near RAF Fairford, a British air base used by U.S. air forces in Gloucestershire, England.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and key regional and international developments, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić resigned on Sunday, ending his second and final five-year term and paving the way for an early presidential election as the country prepares for a snap parliamentary vote on 25 October.
Here’s your AnewZ Daily Brief for 29 September 2026, with the latest from Azerbaijan, from $10.8 billion in investment deals and Formula 1 drama to diplomacy and preparations for major FIFA tournaments.
Crude oil exports from major Middle Eastern producers rebounded in September to their highest level since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began in late February, according to data from analytics firm Kpler.
Russian strikes hit Kyiv and Ukraine’s Black Sea region of Odesa overnight into Tuesday, damaging infrastructure and civilian sites, while Moscow said it had also targeted vessels carrying military cargo.
British police are investigating whether individuals linked to a foreign state were involved in an apparent plot targeting RAF Fairford, a British airbase used by the United States, while five suspects arrested in connection with the case are being released on bail.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that more than 8,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, with preparations under way to send another 10,000.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment