A few days prior to the election of the new authorities in Peru, political scientist Fernando Tuesta explains the powers of the President of the Republic, Congress members, and Andean Parliamentarians.
That is why it is important for citizens to be clear about the duties of those who will take the reins of the country between 2021 and 2026, he underlined.
The expert on electoral issues reminded citizens that Peru relies on a presidential institutional system, in which the Head of State —in addition to representing the nation— is also an active part of the Executive Branch.
Thus, the President of the Republic has the duty of fulfilling and enforcing the Constitution as well as the treaties and laws; represents the State inside and outside the Republic; directs the Government's general policy; and is the Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces and the National Police of Peru.
The President is the Head of the Executive Branch and is allowed to submit bills to Congress.
"That person cannot dictate laws, but rather propose them," Tuesta explained.
Likewise, the President can exercise the power to regulate the laws without transgressing or denaturing them; and —within such limits— the Head of State shall issue decrees and resolutions.
Political control
For its part, the Congress of the Republic has several duties —such as crafting laws, modifying the Constitution by discussing legislative proposals in the various ordinary committees that must be ultimately approved by the Plenary of Parliament.
The Legislative Branch has the power to approve laws "by insistence" in case they are vetoed by the Government or to modify them taking into account what is indicated by the Executive Branch.
It also exercises political control over the Executive Branch. It can summon, question, and censure State ministers. However, what a parliamentarian cannot do —the expert continued— is to promote or approve bills that mean public spending.
In this sense, he warned citizens to be cautious about candidates to Parliament, who make electoral promises as if they were members of the Executive Branch, as they are not allowed to do so.
Andean Parliament
The Andean Parliament is the community, deliberative, citizen representation, and political control body of the Andean Integration System.
It has 25 members and is made up of Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, which has five representatives.
According to Tuesta, this body has limited tasks due to the fact that its legislative agreements are not binding.