Chamber of Deputies of Chile

Chamber of Deputies of Chile
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Name	Chamber of Deputies
Native name	Cámara de Diputadas y Diputados
Legislature	National Congress
House type	Lower house
Body	Chile
Term limits	4 consecutive terms
Foundation	04 July 1811
New session	March 11, 2022
Leader1 type	President
Leader1	Vlado Mirosevic
Party1	Liberal
Election1	March 11, 2022
Leader2 type	First Vice President
Leader2	Eric Aedo
Party2	Democratic Revolution
Election2	March 11, 2022
Members	155
Political groups1	Government (67), Chile Vamos (53), Democratic Socialism (14), Opposition (88), Apruebo Dignidad (37), Social Convergence (13), Christian Democratic Party (8), Party for Democracy (7), Liberal Party (6), Socialist Party (5), Communist Party (4), Independent Democratic Union (3), Republican Party (3), Evópoli (2), Crossbench, Independents (10)
Voting system1	Open list proportional representation (D'Hondt method)
Last election1	November 21, 2021
Next election1	2025
Meeting place	Chamber of Deputies building, Valparaíso
Website	www.camara.cl

Chamber of Deputies of Chile. The Cámara de Diputadas y Diputados is the lower house of the bicameral National Congress, situated in the port city of Valparaíso. It comprises 155 members elected to four-year terms through a system of open list proportional representation across 28 multi-member electoral districts. The chamber shares legislative power with the upper house and plays a critical role in fiscal oversight, initiating impeachment proceedings, and approving international treaties.

History

The chamber traces its origins to the first national assemblies established after the Chilean War of Independence, with its first formal session held in 1811. Its structure and powers were shaped by the Constitution of 1833, which solidified the presidential republic. The body was dissolved following the military coup led by Augusto Pinochet and the subsequent dissolution of Congress, remaining inactive until the return to democracy after the 1988 plebiscite. The modern chamber was re-established under the 1980 Constitution, reformed in 1989, and has since operated continuously from its permanent seat in the Congressional Palace of Valparaíso.

Composition and election

The 155 deputies are elected from 28 electoral districts corresponding to the country's regions, such as the Metropolitan Region and the Los Lagos Region. Elections employ an open list proportional representation system using the D'Hondt method, where voters select a specific candidate from party lists. Members serve four-year terms with the possibility of re-election for up to four consecutive periods, as established by a 2015 constitutional reform. This system replaced the binomial system that was used from 1989 until the 2017 Chilean general election.

Powers and functions

The chamber holds exclusive power to initiate legislation concerning taxes, budgets, and the recruitment of armed forces, as outlined in the Constitution of Chile. It shares legislative authority with the Senate but has the sole prerogative to accuse constitutionally high officials, including the President of Chile, before the Senate for impeachment trials. Other key functions include overseeing the acts of the executive branch through investigative committees, approving or rejecting international treaties signed by the President, and participating in the annual discussion of the Budget Law.

Leadership and organization

The chamber is presided over by a President, elected by its members for a one-year term; the current President is Vlado Mirosevic of the Liberal Party of Chile. Internal organization includes a directive board, or Mesa, and numerous permanent and special committees, such as the Finance Committee and the Constitution Committee, which review proposed legislation. Administrative support is provided by a Secretary-General, and the body operates under internal regulations detailed in its Organic Law. The chamber convenes in its permanent building in Valparaíso, designed by the architects Juan Martínez Gutiérrez and José Aracena.

Current composition and recent elections

Following the 2021 Chilean general election, the chamber is fragmented among several coalitions and parties. The largest blocs are the center-right coalition Chile Vamos, which includes parties like National Renewal and the Independent Democratic Union, and the left-wing coalition Apruebo Dignidad, comprising the Social Convergence and the Communist Party of Chile. Notable smaller parties with representation include the Christian Democratic Party of Chile, the Party for Democracy, and the Republican Party of Chile. The most recent legislative elections were held concurrently with the presidential election that brought Gabriel Boric to power, and the next election is scheduled for 2025.