Politics of Guatemala
Politics of Guatemala Political parties in Guatemala Elections in Guatemala: 2003 Large flag of Guatemala File links The following pages link to this file: Guatemala Politics of Guatemala Latin America Organization of American States Freedom House User:AntonioMartin Alta Verapaz Sacatepéquez Football World Cup 2006 El Petén Izabal United Provinces of Central America Los Angeles Galaxy Columbus Crew F... Politics is the process and method of making decisions for groups. ... Political parties in Guatemala lists political parties in Guatemala. ... Politics of Guatemala Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in Guatemala ... A General Election was held in Guatemala on 9 November 2003. ...

(See Guatemala election, 2003) A General Election was held in Guatemala on 9 November 2003. ...

Government

Guatemala's 1985 constitution provides for a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The 1993 constitutional reforms included an increase in the number of Supreme Court justices from 9 to 13. The terms of office for president, vice president, and congressional representatives were reduced from 5 years to 4 years; for Supreme Court justices from 6 years to 5 years, and increased the terms of mayors and city councils from 2 1/2 to 4 years. 1985 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1993 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003) Events Media:January January 1 - Czechoslovakia divides. ... The President of Guatemala has been the usual title of the leader of Guatemala since 1851, when that title was assumed by José Rafael Carrera, who had been acting as head of government as general and Caudillo since 1840. ...

The president and vice president are directly elected through universal suffrage and limited to one term. A vice president can run for president after 4 years out of office. Supreme Court justices are elected by the Congress from a list submitted by the bar association, law school deans, a university rector, and appellate judges. The Supreme Court and local courts handle civil and criminal cases. There also is a Constitutional Court. The Congress of the Republic (Spanish: Congreso de la República) is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Guatemala. ...

Guatemala has 22 administrative subdivisions (departments) administered by governors appointed by the president. Guatemala City and 330 other municipalities are governed by popularly elected mayors or councils. Guatemala is divided in 22 departments Department (Capital) Alta Verapaz (Cobán) Baja Verapaz (Salamá) Chimaltenango (Chimaltenango) Chiquimula (Chiquimula) El Petén (Flores) El Progreso (Guastatoya) El Quiché (Santa Cruz del Quiché) Escuintla (Escuintla) Guatemala (Guatemala) Huehuetenango (Huehuetenango) Izabal (Puerto Barrios) Jalapa (Jalapa) Jutiapa (Jutiapa) Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango) Retalhuleu (Retalhuleu) Sacatep... Guatemala City (in full, La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción; locally known as Guatemala or, informally, Guate) is the capital and largest city of Guatemala. ...

Political conditions

The 1999 presidential and legislative elections were considered by international observers to have been free and fair. Participation by women and indigenous voters was higher than in the recent past, although concerns remained regarding the accessibility of polling places in rural areas. 1999 is a common year starting on Friday of the Common Era, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

Alfonso Portillo's landslide victory combined with a Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG) majority in congress suggested possibilities for rapid legislative action. However, under the Guatemalan Constitution of 1985, passage of many kinds of legislation requires a two-thirds vote. Passage of such legislation is not possible, therefore, with FRG votes alone. Categories: Stub | 1951 births | Presidents of Guatemala ... The Guatemalan Republican Front (Spanish:Frente Republicano Guatemalteco (FRG)) is a political party in Guatemala. ...

The political balance was disrupted in 2000 when allegations surfaced that the FRG had illegally altered legislation. Following an investigation, the Supreme Court stripped those involved, including President of Congress and FRG chief Ríos Montt, of their legislative immunity to face charges in the case. At roughly the same time, the PAN opposition suffered an internal split and broke into factions; the same occurred in the ANN. As a result, reforms essential to peace implementation await legislative action. Efraín Ríos Montt on the campaign trail in 2003 José Efraín Ríos Montt (born June 16, 1926 in Huehuetenango, Guatemala) is the former President of Guatemala (1982-83) and former head of the National Congress. ...

New cases of human rights abuse continued to decline, although violent harassment of human rights workers presented a serious challenge to government authority. Common crime, aggravated by a legacy of violence and vigilante justice, presents another serious challenge. Impunity remains a major problem, primarily because democratic institutions, including those responsible for the administration of justice, have developed only a limited capacity to cope with this legacy. The government has stated it will require until 2002 to meet the target of increasing its tax burden (at about 10% of GDP, currently the lowest in the region) to 12% of GDP.

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala
Conventional short form: Guatemala
Local long form: República de Guatemala
Local short form: Guatemala

Data code

GT

Government type

constitutional democratic republic

Capital

Guatemala City Guatemala City (in full, La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción; locally known as Guatemala or, informally, Guate) is the capital and largest city of Guatemala. ...

Administrative divisions

22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Petén, El Progreso, Quetzaltenango, El Quiché, Retalhuleu, Sacatepéquez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Sololá, Suchitepequez, Totonicapán, Zacapa. Alta Verapaz is a department in the north central part of Guatemala. ... Baja Verapaz is a department in Guatemala. ... Chimaltenango is a small city of some 43,900 people as of 2002 and the capital of the department of Chimaltenango. ... Chiquimula is a city in Guatemala. ... Escuintla is a department in Guatemala. ... Huehuetenango is a department in Guatemala. ... Izabal is one of the 22 departments in the nation of Guatemala. ... Jalapa is a department of Guatemala, in the south east of the republic. ... Jutiapa (pronounced hoo-tee-AH-pah) is a department (the equivalent of a state or province) of Guatemala that borders along El Salvador and the Pacific Ocean. ... El Petén El Petén is a department of the nation of Guatemala. ... El Progreso is a department in Guatemala. ... Quetzaltenango is a department in Guatemala. ... El Quiché El Quiché is a department of Guatemala. ... Retalhuleu is a department located the south-west of Guatemala, extending from the mountains down to the Pacific Ocean coast. ... Sacatepéquez Sacatepéquez is a department in Guatemala. ... San Marcos is a department in Guatemala. ... Santa Rosa Santa Rosa is a department in Guatemala. ... Sololá Sololá is a department in Guatemala. ... Suchitepequez is a department in Guatemala. ... Totonicapán Totonicapán is a department in Guatemala. ... Zacapa Zacapa is a department in Guatemala. ...

Independence:

15 September 1821 (from Spain) September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... 1821 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 September (1821) September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... 1821 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Constitution:

31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986 May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years), with 214 days remaining, as the last day of May. ... 1985 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1986 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Note: suspended 25 May 1993 by former President Serrano Elías; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993 May 25 is the 145th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (146th in leap years). ... 1993 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003) Events Media:January January 1 - Czechoslovakia divides. ... Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías was born 26th April 1945 in Guatemala to Jorge Adán Serrano, a nationally known politician of his day, and was President of Guatemala from 14 January 1991 to 31 May 1993. ... June 5 is the 156th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (157th in leap years), with 209 days remaining. ... 1993 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003) Events Media:January January 1 - Czechoslovakia divides. ...

Legal system

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote)

Executive branch

Chief of State

President Óscar José Rafael Berger Perdomo (since 14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo Stein Barillas (since 14 January 2004). Note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government The President of Guatemala has been the usual title of the leader of Guatemala since 1851, when that title was assumed by José Rafael Carrera, who had been acting as head of government as general and Caudillo since 1840. ... Pres. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

cabinet

Council of Ministers named by the president

Elections

President elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 9 November 2003; runoff held 28 December 2003. See Guatemala election, 2003. Next to be held NA November 2007. November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 3 days remaining. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A General Election was held in Guatemala on 9 November 2003. ...

election results

Oscar BERGER Perdomo elected president; percent of vote - Oscar BERGER Perdomo (GANA) 54.1%, Álvaro Colom (UNE) 45.9% Álvaro Colom Caballeros (born 15 June 1951) is a Guatemalan politician. ...

Legislative branch

Unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la República (158 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Unicameralism is the practice of having only one legislative or parliamentary chamber. ... The Congress of the Republic (Spanish: Congreso de la República) is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Guatemala. ...

Elections

last held 9 November 2003 (next to be held November 2007) November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GANA 49, FRG 41, UNE 33, PAN 17, other 18

Note: for the 9 November 2003 election, the number of congressional seats increased from 113 to 158 November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitutcionalidad is Guatemala's highest court (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms by Congress, each serving one year as president of the Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by the Supreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the President, one elected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, and one by Colegio de Abogados); Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (thirteen members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms)

Political parties and leaders

Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Eduardo SUGER]; Democratic Union or UD [Rodolfo PAIZ Andrade]; Grand National Alliance or GANA [Oscar BERGER Perdomo]; Green Party or LOV [Rodolfo ROSALES Garcis-Salaz]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Alba ESTELA Maldonado, secretary general]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; Movement for Guatemalan Unity or MGU [Jacobo ARBENZ Villanueva]; Movement for Principals and Values or MPV [Francisco BIANCHI]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Leonel LOPEZ Rodas, secretary general]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Alvarado COLOM Caballeros]; New Nation Alliance or ANN, formed by an alliance of DIA, URNG, and several splinter groups most of whom subsequently defected [led by three co-equal partners - Nineth Varenca MONTENEGRO Cottom, Rodolfo BAUER Paiz, and Jorge Antonio BALSELLS TUT]; Patriot Party or PP [retired General Otto PEREZ Molina]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES Molina]; Reform Movement or MR [Alfredo SKINNER-KLEE, secretary general]; Unionista Party [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM

International organization participation

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Flag description

Three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath. See Flag of Guatemala. Species Ref: ITIS 553589 The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a colorful bird of the trogon family found in tropical areas of southern Mexico and of Central America. ... Flag ratio: (5:8) The flag of Guatemala is designed in two colors: sky blue and white. ...

See also

• Guatemala
• Central American Parliament