Congress of the Republic of Guatemala facts for kids
The Congress of the Republic (in Spanish: Congreso de la República) is like the main law-making body for the country of Guatemala. It's a special kind of government group called a unicameral legislature. This means it has only one main chamber or house where all the decisions are made.
The Congress of Guatemala has 160 members. These members are called deputies. They are chosen by the people of Guatemala to work for four years at a time.
What is the Congress of the Republic?
The Congress of the Republic is the most important group for making laws in Guatemala. Think of it as the country's main decision-making team. Its job is to create new laws, change old ones, and make sure the government is doing its job well.
Who are the Deputies?
The people who work in the Congress are called deputies. There are 160 deputies in total. They are elected by the citizens of Guatemala. Each deputy represents the people from their area or the country as a whole. They work to make sure the laws help everyone in Guatemala.
How are Deputies Elected?
Deputies are chosen in two main ways:
- Nationwide List: 31 of the deputies are chosen from a list that covers the entire country. This means people vote for a political party, and the party gets deputies based on how many votes they receive across Guatemala.
- Multi-member Constituencies: The other 127 deputies are elected from 22 different areas, or "constituencies," across Guatemala. Each area chooses several deputies to represent them. This makes sure that different parts of the country have their own voices in the Congress.
All deputies serve for four years. After that, new elections are held to choose the next group of deputies.
