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.

In this photo released by Peru's Congress, Jose Balcazar addresses lawmakers after Congress elected him interim president in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Photo: AP)

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.