Peru: President Jeri to be impeached

PERU - In Brief 13 Feb 2026 by Alfredo Thorne

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Last night, Congress gathered the necessary support from congress-members to call an extraordinary Congress’ session and discuss President Jeri impeachment. However, Fuerza Popular party and Congress- speaker, Fernando Rospigliosi, from the same party are making it difficult. For once, although 81 congress-members signed the motion to discuss Jeri’s censorship, more than the 78 needed, Rospigliosi said that only 29 had been officially verified and congress-members have to ensure that at least 78 are verified by Reniec, the office responsible for issuing the official identity card call Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI). Second, the motion calls for the censorship of Jeri, not the impeachment (vacancia). He argues that most Constitutional lawyers have argued that Jerí being the president, Congress has to impeach not censor him. But had the majority vote for the censorship then President Jeri has to resign, and Congress elect a new Speaker that in turn becomes the new president. The distinction between impeachment and censorship lies in the legislation introduced in 2001 when Congress elected Valentine Paniagua and argued that he remained Congress’ Speaker in charge of the Presidency. Most lawyers argue that Jerí is the official president sanction by the Constitution and thus the impeachment applies. While this distinction seems irrelevant, it is not. For the censorship Congress needs simple majority, half of those attending, at most 65 congress members. But if Congress decides for the impeachment, two-thirds are needed, 87 votes. In any case there is support for either, but Congress may opt for censorship. The key question is who will replace Jeri. The most likely is...