The Peruvian Congress made a significant political move by electing leftist José Balcázar as the new interim president after the ousting of President José Jerí. Balcázar, affiliated with the Peru Libre party, secured 60 votes against María del Carmen Avila, who received 46 votes. His leadership comes at a time when the presidency had been vacant for 24 hours following Jerí's removal, raising the stakes in Peru's already turbulent political climate. As a seasoned lawyer and former judge, Balcázar's background includes a significant political career, having been elected to Congress in 2021 during the presidency of Pedro Castillo.

Amidst this political reshuffling, there are rising speculations around the future of Pedro Castillo, who is currently imprisoned for an attempted self-coup. Balcázar's election may influence the discourse on Castillo's situation, with some anticipating that he could soon receive an amnesty. Balcázar's past remarks, particularly concerning sensitive topics like child marriage, have drawn controversy, leading to a more cautious public reception as he steps into this role. Additionally, the political implications of this shift in leadership may have ramifications for Peru's governance and legislative stability as the country navigates these challenges.

This event marks a continuing cycle of political upheaval in Peru, with Balcázar now tasked with managing a divided Congress and the expectations of a country grappling with significant issues, including the question of democratic integrity and policy direction after the tumultuous period that led to Jerí's ousting.