Government of Argentina

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The government of Argentina functions within the framework of a federal presidential representative democratic republic. The President of Argentina is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

For electoral procedures and results, see Elections in Argentina. For history and current situation of politics and political parties, see Politics of Argentina. For political divisions, see the main article as well as the list of provinces of Argentina.

1 Executive Branch
2 Legislative Branch
3 Judiciary Branch
4 Provincial and municipal governments
5 References

[edit] Executive Branch

The current composition of the Executive Branch includes only the chief of state and head of government President Néstor Kirchner. The cabinet is appointed by the President but is not technically part of the Executive. The Vice-President, Daniel Scioli, belongs to the Legislative Branch, since he is also the president of the Senate.

The government house, Casa Rosada.

As of August 2006, the cabinet is composed of:

Chief of the Cabinet: Alberto Fernández
Minister of the Interior: Aníbal Fernández
Minister of Foreign Relations (also known as the "Chancellor"): Jorge Taiana
Minister of Defense: Nilda Garré
Minister of Economy: Felisa Miceli
Minister of Justice and Human Rights: Alberto Iribarne
Minister of Labor and Social Security: Carlos Tomada
Minister of Education, Science and Technology: Daniel Filmus
Minister of Health: Ginés González García
Minister of Social Development: Alicia Kirchner
Minister of Federal Planning and Public Utilities: Julio De Vido

[edit] Legislative Branch

The National Congress.

The Legislative Branch is a bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional, which consists of the Senate (72 seats), presided by the Vice-President, and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats), currently presided by Alberto Balestrini of the Province of Buenos Aires).

This branch also includes the Vice-President (since he is the president of the Senate Chamber), the General Auditing Office of the Nation and the Ombudsman.

The residents of each of the provinces and of the City of Buenos Aires elect deputies and senators directly. Deputies are representatives of the whole people of the Nation, while senators represent their districts. Each district elects a number of deputies roughly proportional to their population by proportional representation, and three senators: two for the majority, and one for the first minority.

[edit] Judiciary Branch

The Judiciary Branch is composed of federal judges and others with different jurisdictions, and a Supreme Court with nine members (one President, one Vice-President and seven Ministers), appointed by the President with approval of the Senate, who may be deposed by Congress. As of August 2006 there are two vacancies.

Main building of the Supreme Court (partial view)

President of the Supreme Court: Dr. Enrique S. Petracchi
Vice-President of the Supreme Court: Dra. Elena I. Highton de Nolasco
Minister of the Court: Dr. Carlos S. Fayt
Minister of the Court: Dr. Juan Carlos Maqueda
Minister of the Court: Dr. Eugenio Raúl Zaffaroni
Minister of the Court: Dr. Ricardo L. Lorenzetti
Minister of the Court: Dra. Carmen Argibay

[edit] Provincial and municipal governments

Argentina is divided in 23 districts called provinces and 1 federal district, which hosts the national capital, the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (which is geographically surrounded by the province of Buenos Aires and historically, though not administratively, part of it). Each of the provinces has its own constitution, laws, authorities, form of government, etc., though these must first and foremost comply with the national constitution and laws.

Map of Argentina, with provincial divisions.

The government of each province has three branches (Executive, Legislative and Judiciary). The Executive is led by a governor. The Legislative Branch may be organized as a unicameral or a bicameral system (that is, either one or two chambers or houses).

In all provinces except Buenos Aires, the provinces are divided in districts called departments (departamentos). Departaments are merely administrative divisions; they do not have government structures or authorities of their own. They are in turn divided into municipalities (cities, towns and villages). Each province has its own naming conventions and government systems for different kinds of municipalities. For example, Córdoba Province has municipios (cities) and comunas (towns); Santa Fe Province further distinguishes between first- and second-category municipios; Chaco refers to all populated centers as municipios in three categories.

The province of Buenos Aires has a different system. Its territory is divided into 134 districts called partidos, which are technically municipalities, even though they usually contain several cities and towns.

Regardless of the province, each department/partido has a head town (cabecera), often though not necessarily the largest urban center, and in some provinces often named the same as their parent district.

Municipalities are ruled by mayors, commonly called intendentes in the case of cities and towns (the larger categories). A city has a legislative body called the Deliberative Council (Concejo Deliberante). The smaller towns have simpler systems, often ruled by commissions presided by a Communal President (presidente comunal) or a similarly named authority.

The Federal Capital, Buenos Aires, was declared an autonomous city in the 1994 constitutional reform. Its mayor, formerly chosen by the President of the Republic, is now elected by the people, and receives the title of Chief of Government (Jefe de Gobierno). Other than that, Buenos Aires, like the provinces, has its own Legislative Branch (a unicameral Legislature) and sends deputies and senators as representatives to the National Congress.