The Constitution of Guatemala is the supreme law of the Republic of Guatemala. It sets the bases for the organization of Guatemalan government and it outlines the three main branches of Guatemalan government: executive branch, legislative branch, and judicial branch.

History

For the current Constitution of the Republic it is necessary to know its history, which is as follows:

Provisions

The Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala of 1985 is legally divided into three parts:

Preamble

The preamble to the current Constitution of the Republic is: Calling on the name of God We, the representatives of the people of Guatemala, elected freely and democratically, meeting in National Constituent Assembly in order to organize legally and politically the State; affirming the primacy of the human person as the subject and purpose of social order; recognizing the family as the primary and fundamental genesis of the spiritual and moral values of society and the State, responsible for promoting the common good, the consolidation of the regime of legality, security, justice, equality, freedom and peace; inspired by the ideals of our ancestors and picking up our traditions and cultural heritage; determined to promote the full enjoyment of human rights within a stable, permanent and popular institutional order, where rulers and ruled proceed with absolute adherence to the law. We Solemnly Decree, Sanction and Promulgate The Following: Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala

Structure

Amendment process

The Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala is mixed class, as may be amended part by the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala and elsewhere by the National Constituent Assembly. The Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala to be reformed is based from Article 277 to Article 281 of the same supreme law.

Methods of reform

Initiatives to propose reforms to the Constitution: In any of the above cases, Congress must address the matter raised without any delay.

Constitutional principles

Law initiative

Article 174 of the Constitution says that for the formation of the legislation lies with the following institutions :

Autonomous bodies regulated in the Constitution

Human Rights classes