Peru’s Congress began a debate this Tuesday (17) to discuss the possibility of dismissing President José Jeri, after just four months in office, following a scandal involving undisclosed meetings with a Chinese businessman.
If a simple majority approves the dismissal, it will increase the turnover of leaders in the South American country which, despite years of political turmoil, maintains one of the most stable economies in the region. Unlike impeachment — which requires a qualified majority of 87 votes among the 130 parliamentarians — the motion of censure can be approved with a simple majority: 66 votes, or less, if not all congressmen are present.
The president and his allies argue that the appropriate process would be an impeachment trial, not the motion. Still, Jeri stated that she will respect the result of the vote.
If he is removed from office, his successor will become the eighth Peruvian president in eight years, and Jeri will be the third consecutive head of state to lose his position in this way.
