José María Balcázar

José María Balcázar is an 83-year-old leftist lawmaker who was recently elected as Peru's interim president. This makes him Peru's ninth president since 2016. His election came as a surprise after Congress voted to remove the previous president, José Jerí. Balcázar's selection is particularly noteworthy given his age and past defense of child marriage. He has portrayed himself as a cultivated intellectual, referencing philosophers like Plato and Kant in his public addresses, contrasting himself with predecessors who were criticized for perceived ignorance or other failings. His interim presidency precedes general elections scheduled for April. The context of his rise is marked by political instability, evidenced by the rapid turnover of presidents in recent years. His immediate challenge is to stabilize the country and prepare for the upcoming elections.