LIMA — Lawmakers in Peru voted Tuesday to remove interim President Jose Jeri, paving the way for Congress to name his replacement Wednesday evening. The ouster marks the eighth head of state in 10 years, highlighting relentless political instability fueled by graft probes and power struggles between branches of government.

Jeri assumed office last October after the impeachment of former President Dina Boluarte, Peru’s first woman leader. Her removal followed massive protests over corruption and surging organized crime violence. Jeri, undeterred, rolled out a tough anti-crime campaign that won pockets of public support. Yet prosecutors moved quickly against him. Last week, they launched a probe into claims he wielded undue influence for appointing nine women to posts in the president’s office and environment ministry.

Separate allegations tied Jeri to “illegal sponsorship of interests” after a covert meeting with a Chinese businessman holding government contracts. Congress responded with an overwhelming impeachment vote Tuesday. In a TikTok video posted Wednesday, Jeri declared his innocence. “Serving Peru was, and will remain, an honor,” he said. He stressed his commitment to tackling decades-old problems with conviction, while calling for stronger security measures to build a stable future.

The unicameral Congress convenes at 6 p.m. local time — 11 p.m. GMT — to elect a new head of parliament. That person steps in automatically as president until the term expires July 28. Four candidates have emerged: ex-Speaker Maria del Carmen Alva, leftist Jose Balcazar, socialist veteran Edgard Reymundo, and Hector Acuna, whose party faces its own corruption cloud.

Over the past decade, four Peruvian presidents faced impeachment, two quit to dodge it, and just one served out a full term. Ordinary citizens express exhaustion. “Presidents don’t last because of corruption,” said Edgardo Torres, a 29-year-old industrial engineer, in comments to reporters. Erick Solorzano, a 29-year-old doctor, added, “We live in uncertainty,” with national elections two months away.

Peru grapples with extortion rackets killing dozens, post-pandemic poverty, unemployment spikes, and gangs like Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gaining ground. Jeri’s exit creates a 24-hour-plus power vacuum, unseen in recent history. Political analyst Augusto Alvarez warned there is “no guarantee” the next leader survives until July. “We need a true leader in such an unstable country,” Torres said.

Jeri’s rapid downfall highlights Congress’s dominance over a battered executive. Boluarte’s impeachment ignited street unrest. Jeri’s anti-crime push, while bold, failed to shield him. Prosecutors’ cases now loom large, with investigations ongoing into the hires and business ties.