GOVERNMENT
Uruguay's 1967 constitution institutionalizes a strong presidency, subject to legislative and judicial checks. The president's term is 5 years. Thirteen cabinet ministers, appointed by the president, head executive departments. The constitution provides for a bicameral General Assembly responsible for enacting laws and regulating the administration of justice. The General Assembly consists of a 30-member Senate, presided over by the vice president of the republic, and a 99-member Chamber of Deputies. In the October 2004 general elections, the Frente Amplio won the presidency in the first round with 50.7% and a majority of the seats in each chamber. The National (Blanco) Party won 34.1%, the Colorado Party 10.3%, and the Independent Party 1.8%.
The highest court is the Supreme Court; below it are appellate and lower courts
and justices of the peace. In addition, there are electoral and administrative
("contentious") courts, an accounts court, and a military judicial system.
Principal
Government Officials
President--Tabaré Ramón Vázquez Rosas
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Reinaldo Apolo Gargano Ostuni
Ambassador to the United States--Carlos Alberto Gianelli Derois
Ambassador to the United Nations--Elbio O. Rosselli
Ambassador to the OAS--Dr. Lujan Flores
Uruguay
maintains an embassy in
the United States at 1913 I Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 (tel.
202-331-1313, fax 202-331-8142). Uruguay maintains consulates
in Miami, Los Angeles, and New York.
Type: Republic.
Independence: 1825.
Constitution: First 1830, current 1967, most recently amended December 1996.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state and head of government). Legislative--General Assembly consisting of a 99-seat Chamber of Deputies and a 30-seat Senate. Judicial--Supreme Court of Justice.
Administrative subdivisions: 19 departments with limited autonomy.
Political parties/coalitions: Colorado Party, Blanco (National) Party, Encuentro Progresista-Frente Amplio, Nuevo Espacio.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.
