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Parliament Composition "Assembleia da Republica"
as on 20 February 2005.
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Social Democratic Party (PSD) |
75 |
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Partido Popular (PP) |
12 |
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Total |
230 |
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Political System
Portugal is a Republic. The bodies of sovereignty are the President of the Republic, the Assembly of the Republic, the Government and the Tribunals.
Head of State
The President of the Republic represents Portugal.
He advocates national independence, the unity of the State and democratic institutions.
The President is elected by direct and universal suffrage for a 5-year term.
Aníbal Cavaco Silva was elected for a 5-year term on 22 January 2006.
Legislature
Legislative power is exercised by the "Assembleia da República", which is made up of a single House of Deputies with 230 parliamentary seats. Members of Parliament are elected by proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies for 4-year terms.
Government
The Government is the main executive body.
It is composed of the prime-minister, ministers and deputy-ministers.
The Prime Minister is nominated by the President of the Republic after consideration of the proposals from the parties represented in the Assembly.
The Social Democratic Party (PSD) emerged as the largest opposition parliamentary party in the February 2005 election, with 75 seats. CDS-PP holds 12 seats. The Socialist government holds 121 of the 230 seats in the Assembleia da República, an absolute majority. José Socrates (PS) is Prime Minister.
Presidential and Legislative Elections
Parliamentary elections are held at least every 4 years (next election is in 2009).
The next Presidential elections will take place in 2011.
 Assembleia da República
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Political System
