The Congress of Peru voted on Tuesday to remove interim president José Jerí following a parliamentary censure process approved by an absolute majority. 

Decision adds another chapter to the country’s prolonged political instability, which has seen eight presidents in less than a decade.

The motion passed with 75 votes in favor, 24 against, and three abstentions. With that result, lawmakers formally declared the office vacant and announced that they will elect a new speaker of Congress on Wednesday. 

Under constitutional rules, the newly elected congressional leader will automatically assume the role of interim president until July 28, when the next head of state elected in the general elections is scheduled to take office.

José Jerí had assumed the presidency in October 2025 in his capacity as head of Congress after the removal of then-president Dina Boluarte. His tenure was marked by political controversy and ongoing investigations led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Lawmakers based the censure on allegations of functional misconduct and lack of suitability for office. Accusations include meetings with foreign business representatives that are under investigation, as well as alleged irregularities in government appointments. 

A prior complaint against Jerí has also been reexamined as part of prosecutorial inquiries.

During the parliamentary session, seven censure motions were admitted and debated jointly before the final vote. The Somos Perú party, to which Jerí belongs, proposed suspending the debate so that removal could proceed under the constitutional mechanism of presidential vacancy, which requires a two-thirds majority. The proposal did not receive sufficient support.

Newly elected congressional leader will immediately assume the interim presidency. The mandate will extend until July 28, when the president chosen through the ongoing electoral process must take office.

The development occurs against the backdrop of institutional strain that began in 2016 and has led to repeated changes among national presidents. 

Electoral authorities continue to uphold the established timetable for the general elections, while Congress proceeds with selecting the lawmaker who will temporarily lead the executive branch in Peru.