Peru Congress Sets Feb. 17 Debate on Ousting Interim President José Jerí

Overview

• Lawmakers scheduled an extraordinary plenary for Tuesday, Feb. 17, to consider censure or removal of José Jerí, according to congressional leader Fernando Rospigliosi.
• The Prosecutor General’s Office opened a preliminary investigation for aggravated influence peddling over alleged irregular hiring of nine women, with Jerí set to be questioned on March 2.
• A separate January probe examines undisclosed meetings Jerí held with Chinese businessman Zhihua Yang on Dec. 26 and Jan. 6, for which he apologized for one meeting.
• Congress secured the 78 signatures required to convene the session during recess, and destitution would require 66 votes in the chamber.
• If removed, the president of Congress would assume the presidency only until July 28, with national elections scheduled for April 12 and Jerí protected by immunity until his term ends.