José María Balcázar, an 83-year-classic member of the leftist Perú Libre party, was elected president of Peru’s Congress and, interim president of the country on Wednesday, February 18th, following the removal of José Jerí from both positions a day prior. Balcázar secured 64 votes to 46 in the second round of voting, defeating María del Carmen Alva of Acción Popular, according to reports from BBC Mundo and CNN Español.
The election of Balcázar marks the eighth time Peru has changed presidents in the last decade, highlighting a period of sustained political instability. His ascension to the presidency comes less than two months before scheduled elections, with Balcázar expected to relinquish power on July 28th to the winner of those polls.
Balcázar’s victory represents a return to power for Perú Libre, the party that brought Pedro Castillo to the presidency in 2021. Castillo was subsequently removed from office in December 2022 after attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, and is currently serving a prison sentence. Balcázar previously served as a provisional supreme court justice and was elected to Congress representing Lambayeque in 2021, a seat he is set to lose this year.
The new president’s political views have drawn scrutiny, particularly his stance on marriage laws. In 2023, during a debate regarding the minimum legal age for marriage, Balcázar argued that early relationships could be beneficial to a woman’s psychological development, provided there was no violence, and defended the possibility of marriage from the age of 14. He also questioned the purpose of raising the marriage age, citing instances of underage pregnancies and forced marriages, particularly in rural areas, as reported by El País.
During his swearing-in ceremony, Balcázar delivered a speech described as “confused” by El País, referencing historical figures like Simón Bolívar, José de San Martín, and Francisco Pizarro. He also asserted that Peru was experiencing “one of its best moments,” citing the increased accessibility of information through the internet. He stated that governing the country was not difficult, and claimed that democracy “is not functioning.”
The circumstances surrounding José Jerí’s removal from office remain a focal point. Jerí had only recently replaced Dina Boluarte as head of Congress in October, but faced accusations of sexual abuse, as noted by El País. The Congressional vote to remove Jerí initiated the process that led to Balcázar’s election. France24 reported that the election took place on February 18th.
