Valid since January 1, 1994, the political Constitution of Peru was approved in 1993 by referendum. It is the base upon which the government is organized under the people of Peru, whose official name is the Republic of Peru.
The directives given in the Constitution allow a range of political inclinations and attitudes. Constitutional Article 58 indicates that Peru operates under a social market economy. It is open to private initiatives and the State assumes a role of regulator. Political practices depend on each government sessionīs initiative.
The Peruvian State is the organization which represents all Peruvians. It is united, but with separation of Powers.
The three Powers of the National Government are: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. There are also autonomous organizations for certain tasks and Regional Governments.
A Regional Government: is the legal entity appointed by the people whose mission is to organize and conduct the public management of each of the regions of Peru. It possesses political, economic and administrative autonomy in local affairs.
The President of the Republic of Peru: is the head of the State and Government. The position is held for a period of five years without the possibility of immediate reelection. The President rules from the Casa de Pizarro.
Presidential and Congressional elections occur every five years in accordance with the Political Constitution of Peru of 1993.
The Vice President of the Republic: is the official who replaces the President of the Republic in the case of an absence. The order of succession is then the First Vice President of the Republic and next the Second Vice President of the Republic.
The Council of Ministers of Peru: is the meeting of all of the Ministers of State, presided over by the President of the Council of Ministers, and named by the President of the Republic of Peru. The Council is charged with the following tasks:
- Approve bills which the President submits to Congress.
- Approve legislative and emergency decrees, as well as the bills, decrees and resolutions which affect the law.
- Consider subjects of public interest.
The Congress of the Republic: is the State body which assumes the Legislative Power in the Peruvian State. It is unicameral, formed of 120 members for a period of five years.
The Judicial Branch of Peru: is a body constituted of a hierarchical organization of institutions which exert the authority to administer justice which emanates from the people.
Municipalities of Peru: are the organizations which govern the provinces and the districts of the Republic of Peru.
