Overview
- Congress approved the censure of José Jerí by 75–24 with 3 abstentions after reports of unregistered meetings with businessman Zhihua Yang and suspected irregular contract awards.
- With congressional chief Fernando Rospigliosi declining to assume the presidency, the chamber will elect a new president of Congress at 6:00 p.m. on February 18 to act as head of state.
- Four candidates were formally registered to preside over the legislature — María del Carmen Alva, José Balcázar, Héctor Acuña and Edgar Reymundo — with negotiations expected to hinge on simple‑majority support.
- A public dispute continues over whether removing Jerí by parliamentary censure was constitutional versus using a presidential vacancy proceeding, with officials and constitutional lawyers offering conflicting views.
- Election authorities ONPE and JNE will continue to run the April vote, while succession choices are constrained because those currently on the ballot cannot assume the interim presidency after the February 11 withdrawal deadline.