Type Unicameral | Seats 158 members | |
 | ||
President Óscar Chinchilla, CREO
Since 2017 1st Vice President Felipe Alejos, Todos
Since 2017 2nd Vice President Eduardo de Matta, FCN
Since 2017 3rd Vice President Boris España, MR
Since 2017 | ||
The Congress of the Republic (Spanish: Congreso de la República) is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Guatemala. The Guatemalan Congress is made up of 158 deputies who are elected by direct universal suffrage to serve four-year terms. The electoral system is closed party list proportional representation. 31 of the deputies are elected on a nationwide list, whilst the remaining 127 deputies are elected in 22 multi-member constituencies. Each of Guatemalas's 22 departments serves as a district, with the exception of the department of Guatemala containing the capital, which on account of its size is divided into two (distrito central and distrito Guatemala). Departments are allocated seats based on their population size and they are shown in the table below.
Contents
Political culture
It is not uncommon that Congress Members change parties during the legislature term, as well as Congress Members seceding from a party to create a new party or congressional block.
Latest election
In Congress, Baldizón's LIDER gained 30 seats on their previous election making them the largest party with 44 seats. Torres' UNE retained second position with 36 seats, despite losing 12. Competing in their first election, Todos captured 18 seats. PP suffered the greatest loss, losing 39 seats overall, down to 17. Morales' FCN gained 11 seats.