Peru’s Congress on Wednesday elected lawmaker Jose Balcazar as its new leader, a move that placed him in the Presidency under the country’s constitution.
Balcazar was sworn in as president shortly after the congressional vote.
His term is set to run through July 28, 2026, in line with the current presidential mandate.
An 83-year-old lawyer by training, Balcazar was first elected to Congress in 2021.
On Tuesday, Congress removed Jose Jeri from his posts as Head of Congress and president of the country.
Under Peru’s constitution, if the president is temporarily or permanently unable to serve, the first Vice-President assumes office.
If the first vice-president is unavailable, the second vice-president takes over.
Should both vice-presidents be unable to serve, the president of the congress assumes the presidency.
In cases of permanent incapacity, the congressional leader must immediately call for elections.
