Republic of Peru Government Profile 2009

Overview of the Constitutional Republic's Political Structure

Mar 27, 2009
Carmen Sofia Grant

Peruvian Flag - CIA World Factbook

Peru is an area most notable for its ancient Andean civilizations. The Inca's were the most prominent group that were captured and destroyed by the Spanish in 1533.

Peru gained independence from Spain in July 28th, 1821, and the Spaniards were ousted in 1824. Peru was governed by the military for several years and in 1980 became a democratic nation. Peru has fought an ongoing dispute with its neighbors Chile and Ecuador over border lines. Peru claims different latitude lines that would give the nation more of a coastline. The other nations won't recognize Peru's border lines and the dispute has escalated into border wars throughout the century. The country's constitution was ratified on December 29th, 1993. and the total population of the country is roughly 29 million.

The Republic of Peru has twenty-five regions, or states, and one province.

The Amazonas
Ancash
Apurimac
Arequipa
Ayacucho
Cajamarca
Callao
Cusco
Huancavelica
Huanuco
Ica
Junin
La Libertad
Lambayeque
Lima
Lima*
Loreto
Madre de Dios
Moquegua
Paco
Piura
Puno
San martin
Tacna
Tumbes
Ucayali

* denotes administrative division

Suffrage in Peru

Citizens ages 18-70 are allowed to vote. Until recently, members of the military and national police were not eligible to vote. This changed in 2006 when the law changed to give them the right to vote.

Peruvian Executive Branch

Peru's head of state is President Alan Garcia Perez. The nation has two vice presidents, Luis Giampietri Rojas and Lourdes Mendoza del Solar. They all belong to the Peruvian Aprista Party (PAP or APRA) which is a center-left political party. The country also has a prime minister who is not given any executive power, he is Yehuede Simon Munaro. The prime minister is head of the Council of Ministers who direct and advice in areas such as economics, education, health, and industry. The president is elected by popular vote for a five year term and is eligible for nonconsecutive reelection. This is President Garcia's second presidential term. His first term was from 1985-1990 and is reviewed as a failed presidency. The next election will be held in April 2011.

Peruvian Legislative Branch

Peru has a unicameral congress with 120 members. Members of congress are elected by popular vote and serve five year terms parallel to the president. The next elections will also be held in April 2011.

Peruvian Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary. Peru law system is based on civil law and accepts compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction, with some reservations.

Political Parties in Peru

Alliance for Progress, Alliance for the Future (AF), Central Front (FC), National Renovation party (PRN), National Restoration Party (RN), National Solidarity Party (SN), Peru Possible (PP), Peruvian Aprista Party (PAP or APRA), Peruvian Nationalist Party (PNP), Popular Christian party (PPC), Union for Peru (UPP).