Peru: Jose Maria Balcazar elected Congress Chairman, set to assume Presidency of Republic

22:22 | Lima, Feb. 18.

Parliamentarian Jose Maria Balcazar was elected Chairman of Congress and will assume the Presidency of the Republic, a post that had been vacant following the recent censure of Jose Jeri.

The vote was held with a total of 113 ballots cast. He received 64 in favor, while Maria del Carmen Alva secured 46; three were declared invalid, and none were left blank.

Balcazar Zelada, who represents Lambayeque region, was elected to Congress in the 2021 general elections on the Peru Libre (Free Peru) ticket as the top-listed candidate, securing 6,641 valid votes.

The legislator is currently a member of the Peru Bicentenario (Bicentennial Peru) group.

He is a lawyer by profession and holds postgraduate studies.

His professional career includes work at Pedro Ruiz Gallo National University Faculty of Law (1977–2021) and service within the Judicial Branch (1982–2021).

Born on January 16, 1943, Jose Maria Balcazar Zelada is assuming an elective post for the first time and beginning an initial term in Congress.

According to official records, he has no administrative sanctions and no civil or criminal convictions on file.

#CongresoInforma | Con 64 votos, el congresista José María Balcázar Zelada ha sido elegido presidente del Congreso de la República.

En consecuencia, asumirá la encargatura de la Presidencia de la República del Perú. pic.twitter.com/oY8GhnAX1j
— Congreso del Perú ???? (@congresoperu) February 19, 2026