Paraguay · Government
Government and administration in Paraguay
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Executive — President
- Single five-year term; re-election is absolutely prohibited.
- Legislative — Congress
- Chamber of Deputies (80) and Senate (45).
- Judicial — Judiciary and Consejo de la Magistratura
- The Council shortlists candidates; the Senate and executive appoint.
- Oversight — Contraloría General and Defensoría del Pueblo
- Audit and ombudsman, elected by Congress.
How legislation is made
Bills may start in either chamber and must pass both. The President may object in whole or part; Congress overcomes an objection by absolute majority in both chambers. Constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber and ratification by referendum; wholesale reform requires a constituent assembly.
Enforcement institutions
- Ministerio Público
- Prosecution service headed by the Fiscal General del Estado.
- Policía Nacional del Paraguay
- National force under the Interior Ministry.
- Defensoría del Pueblo
- Ombudsman elected by the Chamber of Deputies from a Senate shortlist.
Government bodies and regulators
- judicialCorte Suprema de JusticiaHighest court, with a chamber dedicated to constitutional matters.
- judicialConsejo de la MagistraturaDraws up shortlists for judicial and prosecutorial appointments.
- independentMinisterio Público del ParaguayProsecutes criminal offences and directs investigation.
- executiveDirección Nacional de Ingresos TributariosAdministers national taxes and customs.
- executiveDirección General de MigracionesAdministers entry, residence and permanence of foreign nationals.
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