Portugal, Spanish And Portuguese Political Geography

Related Category: Spanish And Portuguese Political Geography

Portugal is governed under the constitution of 1976, which established a parliamentary republic. The constitution was amended in 1982, 1989, 1992, and 1997. The president, who is the chief of state, is elected by universal suffrage to a five-year term. Appointed by the president and supported by a majority of the assembly of the republic, the premier functions as the head of government, presiding over the council of ministers (the cabinet). In addition, a council of state acts as a consultative body to the president and consists of representatives from the political parties, a military defense board, and a constitutional tribunal. The government's legislative body consists of the 230-seat assembly of the republic, whose members are elected to four-year terms under a system of proportional representation.