The election of the new Congress Chairman will determine the presidential succession and trigger a series of procedures, ranging from the immediate swearing-in to the possible formation or confirmation of the Council of Ministers, amid the ongoing electoral process.
The election will be decided by a simple majority of the lawmakers present.
The elected candidate is sworn in immediately before the plenary session and, automatically, assumes the Presidency of the Republic through constitutional succession.
According to constitutional lawyer Hernan de la Fuente, speaking to Andina News Agency, the swearing-in is immediate because "we cannot remain in a power vacuum."
Following this act, the new officeholder assumes the dual role until July 28, 2026, without requiring an additional swearing-in.
Cabinet formation or confirmation
Once in office, the President heads to the Government Palace, where the process of defining the Ministerial Cabinet begins.
As a first step, the Head of State must appoint the President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister).
Next, the President of the Council of Ministers must propose the State ministers, thereby forming the Cabinet—a process that must be carried out promptly to ensure continuity in the Executive Branch.
De la Fuente noted that there may be a scenario in which the President wants to keep the Council of Ministers, but they still must be sworn in and must appear to undergo the investiture process.
In that regard, the President may "either confirm the current ministers or, alternatively, appoint a Prime Minister who would then propose the ministers," with no restriction preventing any member of the previous Cabinet from being included.
Thus, the new Head of State, along with the Cabinet, must ensure institutional continuity and the normal conduct of the electoral process, in a context leading up to the national and subnational elections scheduled for this year.