What type of government is in power in Peru?
Peru is a democratic republic with a presidential system. The President of the Republic is both head of state and government, elected for five years by direct universal suffrage.
The Peruvian political system
Peru operates under a democratic presidential system since the return to democracy in 1980. The President of the Republic combines the functions of head of state and head of government.
Organization of powers
- Executive power: exercised by the president and his cabinet
- Legislative power: unicameral Congress of 130 deputies elected for five years
- Judicial power: independent, with the Supreme Court of Justice as the highest authority
Elections and mandate
The president is elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term, not renewable consecutively. If no candidate obtains an absolute majority in the first round, a second round opposes the two leading candidates.