Jose Balcazar (R) is sworn in as president of Peru at the Congress of the Republic of Peru, in Lima, Peru, on Feb. 18, 2026. Peru's Congress on Wednesday elected lawmaker Jose Balcazar as its new leader, who assumes the country's presidency under constitution. Balcazar was sworn in as Peruvian president shortly after the vote. His term will run through July 28, 2026, in accordance with the current presidential mandate. (Peru's Congress/Handout via Xinhua)

LIMA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Peru's Congress on Wednesday elected lawmaker Jose Balcazar as its new leader, who assumes the country's presidency under constitution.

Balcazar was sworn in as Peruvian president shortly after the vote. His term will run through July 28, 2026, in accordance with the current presidential mandate.

Balcazar, an 83-year-old lawyer by training, was elected to Congress in 2021.

Peru's Congress on Tuesday removed Jose Jeri from the position of Congress head and the country's president.

Under the constitution of Peru, if the country's president is temporarily or permanently unable to serve, the first vice president assumes the office. In the absence of the first vice president, the second vice president takes over. In the event of the incapacity of both vice presidents, the president of the Congress assumes the presidency. If the incapacity is permanent, the president of the Congress shall immediately call elections. ■

Jose Balcazar (C) receives the presidential sash at the Congress of the Republic of Peru, in Lima, Peru, on Feb. 18, 2026. Peru's Congress on Wednesday elected lawmaker Jose Balcazar as its new leader, who assumes the country's presidency under constitution. Balcazar was sworn in as Peruvian president shortly after the vote. His term will run through July 28, 2026, in accordance with the current presidential mandate. (Peru's Congress/Handout via Xinhua)

Jose Balcazar speaks after being sworn in as president of Peru at the Congress of the Republic of Peru, in Lima, Peru, on Feb. 18, 2026. Peru's Congress on Wednesday elected lawmaker Jose Balcazar as its new leader, who assumes the country's presidency under constitution. Balcazar was sworn in as Peruvian president shortly after the vote. His term will run through July 28, 2026, in accordance with the current presidential mandate. (Peru's Congress/Handout via Xinhua)