Government

Argentina's political framework is a federal presidential representative democratic republic, in which the President of The Argentine Nation is both head of state and head of government in a pluralistic multi-party system. The Argentine Constitution of 1853 mandates a separation of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches at the national and provincial level.

Executive power resides in the President and his or her cabinet. The President of The Argentine Nation and Vice President are directly elected to four-year terms, limited to two consecutive terms, and the cabinet ministers are appointed by the president. Legislative power is vested in the bicameral National Congress, which consists of a Senate of seventy-two seats and a Chamber of Deputies of 257 members. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislative branches. The Argentine Supreme Court of Justice has seven members who are appointed by the President in consultation with the Senate. The remaining justices are appointed by the Council of Magistrates of the Nation.

Argentina is also a member of an international bloc, Mercosur, which has legislative supranational functions.

Back

Updated: 29 February 2008