Constitutional Law at Uruguay
Sure! Here’s a clear overview of Constitutional Law in Uruguay:
General Info:
Current Constitution adopted: 1967
Amendments: 1989, 1994, 1996, and 2004
System: Democratic Republic with a presidential system
Rule of Law: Uruguay is known for having one of the most stable constitutional traditions in Latin America.
Key Features:
Democracy and Republicanism:
Uruguay's Constitution defines it as a democratic republic where sovereignty belongs to the people.
Separation of Powers:
Divides government into Executive (President and Ministers), Legislative (General Assembly: Senate + House of Representatives), and Judiciary (independent courts).
Human Rights:
Protects a broad range of civil, political, economic, and social rights — freedom of expression, education rights, religious freedom, labor rights, etc.
Popular Participation:
Citizens can influence constitutional reforms directly through referendums and initiatives (a strong aspect of Uruguay’s political culture).
Presidency:
The President is both head of state and head of government, elected for a 5-year term, with no immediate re-election (must sit out one full term).
Amendment Process:
The Constitution can be amended by:
Popular initiative (10% of registered voters)
Parliamentary initiative (2/5 of each House)
Constitutional laws passed by a 2/3 majority of the General Assembly
Interesting Facts:
Uruguay was one of the first countries in Latin America to fully separate church and state (since the early 20th century).
It has strong protections for labor rights and social welfare, embedded in constitutional and legislative frameworks.
Uruguay consistently ranks high in democracy, press freedom, and rule of law globally.
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