José María Balcázar Elected Interim President of Peru
Peru’s congress elected José María Balcázar, an octogenarian leftist lawmaker known for his controversial defense of child marriage, as the country’s interim president on Wednesday ahead of the general elections scheduled for April. Balcázar is the ninth individual to hold the presidency in Peru since 2016.
The unexpected election of Balcázar, who defeated the favored conservative lawmaker María del Carmen Alva, followed the removal of José Jerí after a scandal that led to his ousting after just four months in office.
Balcázar, affiliated with the leftist Peru Libre party, was sworn in immediately as Peru’s head of congress following a four-hour session. During this session, none of the four candidates secured a simple majority in the first round of voting, prompting a second round where Balcázar was chosen over Alva.
The election of Balcázar sparked accusations and recriminations among right-wing parties, while receiving praise from some sectors of the Peruvian political left. His appointment adds to a series of leadership changes during a period marked by unprecedented political instability in Peru.
Controversy Surrounding Balcázar’s Past Remarks
However, Balcázar’s previous statements endorsing sexual relations between girls aged 14 and male teachers have dominated media coverage following his election.
In 2023, as a former regional high court judge and the only lawmaker to oppose a measure banning child marriage, Balcázar argued that the ban should only apply to those under 14 years old.
“From the age of 14 onwards, there should be no impediment; everyone has sexual relations, [male] teachers with pupils, female teachers with pupils, and between pupils too. That’s fine,”
he told journalists after the congressional vote. He later claimed that his remarks had been taken out of context.
As chair of the congressional education committee, Balcázar stated that sexual relations between teachers and students were common and even suggested such relations could be “beneficial” for the minor. His comments were strongly condemned by critics who described them as justifying “sexual violence against school-age children and adolescents, a painful and despicable situation that profoundly affects their overall wellbeing and fundamental rights.”
When questioned about these remarks during an interview on the national radio broadcaster RPP on Thursday, Balcázar responded:
“I will not change my mind, I am firm in my convictions.”
Additional Allegations and Political Positions
In addition to the controversy over his remarks, Balcázar has faced investigations for alleged embezzlement during his tenure as head of the bar association in his native Lambayeque region. He was expelled from the association in 2022 following a disciplinary hearing.
The former judge has publicly stated his intention to release Pedro Castillo, the former leftist leader who was sentenced by Peru’s supreme court in November to 11 years, five months, and 15 days in prison for corruption offenses committed in December 2022.
Interim Presidency and Calls for Restraint
Balcázar is expected to serve as interim president until 28 July, when the newly elected president takes office. Peruvians are scheduled to vote on 12 April, with a runoff election anticipated in June.
Despite his limited mandate, concerns have been raised that Balcázar may exceed his role in guiding the country toward elections. Pro-democracy groups, business organizations, and human rights advocates have urged caution.
Álvaro Henzler, representing the pro-democracy nonprofit Transparencia Perú, stated:
“Out of respect for the stability of the country and in view of an exhausted citizenry, the new president’s mandate must be strictly limited to ensuring a transparent and orderly democratic transition and preventing a worsening of the institutional crisis we are currently experiencing.”
