LatAm PS - topic 2 - flashcard | Quizlet

two core features of presidentialism

1. dual legitimacy: both president and congress are directly elected (responsibility); the chance that congress and president are from different parties is high which leaders to the president not having legislative majority and thus higher chances for impeachment (presidentialism has a lot of trouble functioning in a multi-party system for the same reasons)

2. fixed terms: rigid terms for both president and congress which limits flexibility

other features of presidentialist regimes

- the president concentrates several functions: head of executive, head of state, party leader etc.

- tools of president: veto, decrees, delegation, referenda etc.

- parties are often less disciplined (less party control; increased negotiation; possibility for gridlock)

negative sides of presidentialism

- fewer incentives for stable coalitions

- two competing legitimate powers

- rigid political dynamics: deadlocks

- weak presidencies when legislative minority

positive sides of presidentialism

- electorates have more chances to express opinion

- avoids winner-takes-it-all games (balance)

- congress is independent from executive (balance)

- fixed terms provide stability

differences between parliamentarism and presidentialism...

origin of government: in parliamentarism there is a controlled president and dual executive; in presidentialism there is direct legitimacy due to election of president independent from legislative

type of executive: in parliamentarism the power lies in the head of state and head of government (dual); in presidentialism there is monistic executive as concentration of executive power lies with the president

impeachment

the process for force the head of state to vacate its position as leader

- used as a tool of political responsibility between branches (legislative vs. executive)

- applies only when the president has committed a serious crime, abuse of authority or violation of the law

- it is a political process without criminal penalties (but criminal trials may follow)

- a successful impeachment leads to removal and loss of political rights after which the vice-president replaces

impeachments in Latin America...

- Brazil (1992): president Color de Mello resigned before impeachment, later found not guilty

- Venezuela (1993): president Carlos Andrés Pérez was judged on corruption scandal: guilty (imprisoned for 28 months)

- Brazil (2016): president Rousseff charged with manipulating public accounts, impeached and VP Temer took office (but turned out to be corrupt too and resigned); factors enabling impeachment: extreme congressional fragmentation in 2014 & economic turndown

- Ecuador (2023): president Lasso (elected in 2021 despite very small legislative support) saw two impeachments on corruption accusations; he claimed political persecution (early 2023 elections produced new president Noboa (only 14/137 support) and he won the 2025 elections too)

Peru... multiple impeachments:

- 2017: president Kucynski (PKK) elected in 2016 (weak parliamentary support) but the fujimorists dominated congress; opposition group Fuerza Popular initiates impeachment but this fails due to Fujimorists defections (political deal)

- 2018: second impeachment attempt leads to resignation PKK and VP Vizcarra becomes president

- 2019: congress dissolution: constant criticism, abuse corruption and loss of confidence

- 2020: first impeachment to Vizcarra over corruption-relayed audios; failed (not enough votes)

- 2021: second impeachment to Vizcarra over accusation of receiving bribes; successful

- 2022: president Castillo faced an impeachment, did a coup d'etat and was arrested (after him, his VP Dina Boluarte became president)

(in Peru, there have been 6 presidents in 4 years which shows broader instability)

risk factors that could lead to impeachment

- corruption

- liberal economic policies and economic crises

- mass protests

- parliamentary minorities (lack of shield)

types of presidential crisis

- non-democratic interruptions (coups) (Chile, 1973)

- crisis without collapse (Ecuador, 2022; Peru, 2019)

- impeachments or resignations (Peru, 2000 + 2008; Brazil, 2016)

- resignations due to fraud or pressure (DR, 1994; Bolivia 2003 + 2019)

presidential re-election: arguments in favor...

- responsible government

- political experience

- allows long-term reforms to mature

presidential re-election: arguments against

- progressive institutional control

- difficulty in defeating the incumbent

- in democracy, alternation is necessary

mechanisms to alter term limits

- constitutional reforms

- referenda (sometimes reject change)

- using constitutional courts when referenda fail

current re-election rules in Latin America...

- prohibited: Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and Paraguay

- non-consecutive only: Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Uruguay and Peru

- consecutive for 1 term: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Dominican Republic

- indefinite: Nicaragua and Venezuela

re-election controversy case: Bolivia - Evo Morales (2006-2019)

- won elections in 2006 and new constitution allowed one consecutive re-election so he was re-elected in 2010

- court enables a third term and he won again in 2014

- in 2016 there were reforms which he ignored

- 2019 controversial court ruling led to fourth-term attempt but he resigned after political crisis

- he wanted to come back for elections in 2025 but was banned (Rodrigo Paz elected)

re-election controversy case: Ecuador - Correa vs. Lenin Moreno

- Morena was chosen and elected after Correa (2007-2017) and took office in 2017 but had low popularity and support

- after just 100 days, Correa became Morena's main opponent

- the 2018 referendum removed indefinite re-election that was introduced by Correa in 2015 which blocked Correa's return in 2021 and future cycles

re-election controversy case: Nicaragua - Daniel Ortega

- former revolutionary leader was defeated in 1990 but returned in 2007

- the 2014 constitutional reforms declared indefinite re-election and he was re-elected in 2011, 2016, 2021, 2022...

- he now controls both all branches of politics (executive, legislative and judicial)

interesting re-election case in El Salvador

constitution bans immediate re-election but the Electoral Tribunal allowed it if president resigns beforehand: so Bukele resigned for a short period of time in order to run for re-election

interesting re-election case in Chile

debated immediate re-election in constitutional reform, distinguished rule changes for future presidents vs. incumbents

reasons why presidents become weak

- lack of congressional majority

- dual vote: citizens may vote differently for president and for congress

- multiparty fragmentation; unstable coalitions

- poor party discipline; lame-duck effects reduce influence

Peru as an example of weak presidency

- executive bills still pass at high rates; presidents use legislative decrees

- delegation improves legislative productivity despite minority status

- Peru shows that paralysis can be avoided even without majorities (extra presidential powers not strictly necessary)