Congress of Guatemala

Congress of Guatemala The Congress of Guatemala is the unicameral legislative body of Guatemala, composed of 158 deputies who are elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years. The Congress is responsible for making laws, approving the national budget, and exercising parliamentary oversight of the executive branch. The Congress of Guatemala is headquartered in the Palacio de la Capitanía General in Guatemala City. The current Congress is the result of the 1996 peace accords, which transformed the Congress into a more representative and inclusive institution.

History

The Congress of Guatemala has its roots in the independence of Guatemala from Spain in 1821. The first Constitutional Congress was established in 1824, and since then, the Congress has undergone several transformations, including the 1931 coup that led to a more authoritarian legislature. The modern Congress was established in 1985, after the civil war, with the 1985 Constitution.

Structure and composition

The Congress of Guatemala is a unicameral body composed of 158 deputies, who are elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years. The deputies are allocated proportionally to each department of Guatemala based on population. The Congress has several permanent commissions, including the Commission of Human Rights, the Commission of Justice and Public Order, and the Commission of Economic Development.

Powers and functions

The Congress of Guatemala has the power to make laws, approve the national budget, and exercise parliamentary oversight of the executive branch. The Congress also has the authority to ratify international treaties, grant amnesty, and exercise judicial review. The Congress is also responsible for appointing the Supreme Court justices, the Prosecutor General, and the Human Rights Commissioner.

Elections and membership

The deputies of the Congress of Guatemala are elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years. The elections are held every four years, and the deputies are allocated proportionally to each department of Guatemala based on population. To be eligible for membership in the Congress, a person must be a Guatemalan citizen, at least 25 years old, and have a clean criminal record.

Political parties and leadership

The Congress of Guatemala has several political parties represented, including the National Unity of Hope (UNE), the Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG), and the Patriotic Party (PP). The leadership of the Congress includes the President of the Congress, who is elected by the deputies for a term of one year, and the Board of Directors, which is composed of the President, the Vice Presidents, and the Secretaries.

Current session and recent activity

The current session of the Congress of Guatemala is the 2020-2024 term, which began on January 14, 2020. Recent activity in the Congress has focused on issues such as corruption, human rights, and economic development. The Congress has also been involved in debates on constitutional reforms and judicial reform. Category:Government of Guatemala