The Government of Colombia is a unitary presidential republic with separation of powers into an executive, judicial, and legislative branch. The executive is led by the president, who acts as both the head of state and government, the judiciary includes four high courts which manage different fields of the law, and the national legislature is a bicameral congress composed of the senate and chamber of representatives.
The country is principally divided into 32 departments and one capital district.
<!--PRE-REWRITE LEAD (unsourced): The citizens of Colombia cast votes concerning their government, and they employ a public sector office for an inspector general to oversee the public interface of the government. This safeguards the public, and guarantees the human rights spelled out in the Constitution of 1991, which provides the framework for a welfare state and a unitary republic.
Colombia has "control institutions" that mix government and public officials, who work alongside one another. For example, the public's inspector general works closely with the government's controller general, whose job it is to ensure governmental fiscal responsibility. An independent Ombudsman deals with maladministration complaints and functions.-->
== Executive ==<!--PRE-REWRITE EXECUTIVE SECTION (unsourced):
The President of the Republic heads the executive branch of power in Colombia. He is supported by the Vice President of Colombia, the Council of Ministers, and the Government entities of Colombia, namely the Administrative Departments. The government is responsible for creating and developing policies for Colombia, while the governors of the Departments of Colombia are elected by popular vote to represent the president and the executive branch.
Mayors are subordinate to the governors, who are the highest representatives of the executive branch of government at the municipal level. Mayors are also elected in regional elections, along with the department governors.-->
President
The president of Colombia is elected by a direct popular vote, with elections held every four years. They are the head of state and government, as well as the commander-in-chief and supreme administrative authority. In 2015, Congress limited the presidency to a single four-year term, preventing the president from seeking re-election.
For 150 years, excluding military dictatorships in the 1950s, the president came from either the Liberal Party or the Conservative Party, with the country operating under a two-party system. But, every president following the 2002 election has come from a third party.thumb|[[Casa de Nariño, the presidential palace in Bogotá, houses the President of Colombia|left]]
Vice President
The Vice President is the second-highest executive office in Colombia. They are elected directly by appearing on a presidential candidate's ticket. The 1991 constitution reestablished the office after being abolished in 1905.
Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers is the national government cabinet of Colombia, composed of the most senior appointed politicians of the executive branch. In addition to the president and vice president, members are the heads of ministries and administrative departments. Its composition has changed throughout history, but the council currently includes 19 ministers and 6 directors of administrative departments, all appointed by the president.
Legislature
The legislative branch of Colombia's national government is the bicameral Congress, composed of the Senate and Chamber of Representatives. Its primary duties are lawmaking and legislative regulation; these include drafting, enacting, interpreting, amending, and repealing laws.
Senate
The Senate of Colombia is composed of 108 seats, with members elected to 4-year terms in direct elections through a party-list proportional representation system.
Chamber of Representatives
The Chamber of Representatives of Colombia is composed of 188 members elected to 4 year terms in direct elections through a party-list proportional representation system. Colombia’s legal system follows civil law. and is led by the President of the Supreme Court of Justice. Below the Supreme Court are Judicial District Superior Tribunals and, below them, district courts.
Constitutional Court
The Constitutional Court handles constitutional law and international treaties. which reorganized the country's high courts.
Superior Council of Judicature
The Superior Council of Judicature handles jurisdictional conflicts and judicial administration; it is headed by a president. It is also the job of the superior council to submit lists of potential justices for the Supreme Court of Justice.
Departments
Each department has a governor and department assembly and is granted limited autonomy. Departments are primarily composed of municipalities, of which there are 1123 in Colombia,
Capital District
The capital city of Bogotá has the same administrative status as a department. It is governed by the Superior Mayor of Bogotá and Bogotá City Council. The council is the supreme authority of the district, autonomous in administrative, budgetary, and financial matters. While Bogotá is outside of the Cundinamarca Department, it is the department's official capital. The territories total 35,608,579.2 hectares or 31% of the nation as of 2023 according to the National Land Agency.
Elections and voting
Constitution
Foreign relations
Issues
Corruption
Trust
In 2022, 21% of Colombians reported high or moderately high trust in the national government, 22% in their local government, and 20% in the civil service.
Climate change
Colombia's government has been recognized as taking a determined approach to reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to a reversal in global climate change trends.
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History
Pre-Columbian era
New Kingdom of Granada
Viceroyalty of New Granada
United Provinces of New Granada
Gran Colombia
Republic of New Granada
Granadine Confederation
United States of Colombia
Republic of Colombia
== Budget ==-->
See also
- Mass media in Colombia
- Politics of Colombia
- Government entities of Colombia
References
External links
- Colombian Constitution of 1991 (translated into English)
- Government of Colombia