Vice President of Honduras facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Designates to the Presidency of the Republic of Honduras
Coat of arms of Honduras
Incumbent Doris Gutiérrez Renato Florentino since 27 January 2022
Style	Mr./Madame Vice President (informal) The Most Excellent and His/Her Excellency (formal)
Term length	4 years, renewable once
Inaugural holder	Marcelino Ponce Martínez, Céleo Arias Moncada, and Arturo Rendón Pineda (1982)
Formation	27 January 1982 (current)

The Designates to the Presidency are important political figures in Honduras. They hold the second-highest political position in the country. Think of them like vice presidents.

In Honduras, the president and these designates are chosen together in the same election. From 1957 to 2006, and again since 2010, there have usually been three of these positions: a first, second, and third designate. They are often called the presidential designates.

For a short time, during the administration of Manuel Zelaya, there was only one vice president. However, the Congress changed the Constitution in 2008. This brought back the system of having three presidential designates.

Understanding Honduras's Vice Presidents

What They Do

The main job of the presidential designates is to step in if the president cannot do their duties. This might happen if the president is temporarily away or unable to work. One of the designates is chosen by the president to fill in for a short time.

If the president's absence is permanent, the National Congress chooses one of the three designates. This chosen designate then finishes the president's term. If all three designates are unable to serve, the president of the National Congress takes over. If that person is also unavailable, the president of the Supreme Court becomes the acting president.

Accountability and Rules

The National Congress can remove a designate from office. This happens if they perform poorly or act improperly. Also, designates cannot leave Honduras for more than 15 days without permission. They need approval from the National Congress to do so.

How They Are Chosen

Requirements to Serve

To become a presidential designate, a person must meet the same requirements as the president.

• They must be born in Honduras.
• They must be over 30 years old.
• They must have full civic rights.
• They cannot be an active leader in any established religion.

Restrictions on Office

There are also rules about what designates cannot do while in office.

• They cannot be elected president while serving as a designate.
• They also cannot be elected president within six months after their term ends or if they resign.
• Designates cannot be elected as a member of the National Congress while they are serving in their role.

Recent History of Presidential Designates

The system of presidential designates has changed over time. Here's a look at how it has worked since 1982.

Constitutional Vice Presidents (since 1982)

Presidential Designates (1982–2006)

During this period, Honduras had three presidential designates. They served alongside the president.

Vice-President and Presidential Commissioner (2006–2010)

Before the 2005 elections, the Honduran Congress changed the Constitution. This meant that only one person would hold the vice-president position.

Presidential Designates (2010–present)

In 2008, the Supreme Court decided that having only one vice-president was against the Constitution. So, the three posts of vice-presidents were brought back.

See also

In Spanish: Designados presidenciales de Honduras para niños