Peru appoints Jose Maria Balcazar as president after Jose Jeris removal
Al Jazeera3 days
Balcázar's election vindicates the popular will that was violated and disciplines the coup plotters who attempted to subvert democracy. This symbolic return of Peru Libre, even in the final months of the term, demonstrates that the correlation of forces ultimately prevails over those who sought to overturn legitimate political representation.
Placing Balcázar in power represents an unforgivable historic error that insults Peruvian women and girls. This legislator has repeatedly justified child marriage, claiming sexual relations help the psychological future of women and that girls under 14 possess psychological maturity to marry. Congress knowingly elected someone incompatible with democratic principles.
Balcázar belongs to Peru Libre, which has become a close ally of the right-wing and far-right coalition controlling Congress that promotes ultraconservative authoritarianism. The party votes alongside this coalition and its leader prioritizes combating what he calls the moderate left, openly allying with Fujimorism and fascism to achieve these goals.
There's a 49.5% chance that Rafael López Aliaga will win the 2026 Peruvian presidential election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
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