Peru's Parliament Ousts President After Four Months

MEXICO CITY, Feb 18 (Bernama-dpa) -- Peru's parliament has ousted President José Jerí after just four months in office, the latest upheaval in a country that has had seven presidents in less than a decade, reported German news agency dpa.

Jerí lost a vote of no confidence with 75 of 102 lawmakers voting against him on Tuesday. His successor is expected to be elected by parliament on Wednesday.

He had assumed the presidency in October while serving as speaker of parliament, taking over government duties after the impeachment and removal of President Dina Boluarte. 

His impeachment came after growing pressure on him over unofficial meetings with Chinese business figures and alleged irregularities in the appointment of women to government posts.

"Jerí exercised his power secretly: secret meetings, late-night gatherings and contradictory statements," lawmaker Hamel Echevarría said during the parliamentary session. 

The president consistently rejected the accusations. "I have not committed a crime," he said.

The removal comes less than two months before the presidential election scheduled for April. 

The last Peruvian president to complete a full five-year term was Ollanta Humala, who governed from 2011-16.

--BERNAMA-dpa