Simone Lawson
Peru's political history has been marked by numerous military coups and changes of constitution. The country has had twelve constitutions since 1823, with the first being suspended before it went into effect. The Political Constitution of the Peruvian Republic was promulgated on November 12, 1823, by President José Bernardo de Tagle, but it was almost entirely suspended to allow for the planning of Simón Bolívar's campaign. It was re-established in 1827 but abolished the following year. The Constitution for the Republic of Peru, promulgated on July 12, 1979, replaced the 1933 Constitution and became effective in 1980. The most recent constitution, written in 1993 by Alberto Fujimori, has been amended several times and continues to shape Peruvian politics today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first constitution | 1823 |
| Date of promulgation of first constitution | November 12, 1823 |
| First constitution suspended before | Yes |
| First constitution re-established | June 11, 1827 |
| First constitution abolished | 1828 |
| First long-lasting constitution | 1860 |
| First constitution to allow women's suffrage | 1933 |
| Current constitution | 1993 (rev. 2021) |
| Number of amendments to current constitution | 30 |
| Number of amendments ratified by 2018 referendum | 3 |
| Minimum age for head of government | 25 years |
| Minimum age for congressman | 25 years |
| Minimum voting age | 18 years |
| Maximum voting age | 70 years |
| Minimum percentage of women on party lists | 30% |
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What You'll Learn
The first constitution of Peru was suspended before it went into effect
Peru's political history has been marked by numerous military coups and changes to its constitution. The country has had twelve constitutions since 1823, with the first constitution being suspended before it could even take effect. This first constitution, approved by the Constituent Congress of Peru, was promulgated on November 12, 1823, by President José Bernardo de Tagle. However, it was almost entirely suspended to enable the careful planning of Simón Bolívar's campaign.
The 1823 constitution was re-established on June 11, 1827, only to be abolished the following year. The Constitution for the Peruvian Republic, also known as the Lifetime Constitution, was then written by Simón Bolívar and promulgated by a government council led by Andrés de Santa Cruz. This constitution was similar to the Bolivian constitution and a planned Colombian constitution, reflecting Bolívar's vision for a South American Federation.
The 1823 constitution, despite its brief duration, laid the foundational principles for Peru's constitutional framework, serving as a model for subsequent constitutions for nearly a century. The Political Constitution of the Peruvian Republic, promulgated on March 18, 1828, by President José de la Mar, further contributed to the development of Peru's constitutional history. However, it too had a short lifespan, as it was suspended after 49 days due to anti-Bolivarian sentiment.
The instability of the early constitutions set a precedent for Peru's ongoing quest for a stable democratic constitutional regime. The country's political landscape has been characterised by frequent interruptions and amendments, with only two constitutions lasting longer than twenty years. The 1860 constitution, the most enduring, was superseded within seven years, briefly interrupted by the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), and ultimately overturned by a coup in 1919.
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The 1993 constitution was written by Alberto Fujimori
Peru has had twelve documents called constitutions since 1823, with the first constitution being suspended before it went into effect. The country's first constitution was promulgated on November 12, 1823, by President José Bernardo de Tagle.
The 1993 constitution also allowed the president to dissolve congress after only two censures, whereas the 1979 Constitution allowed for this after three censures. The new constitution restricted free education, limited labor rights, and opened up the Peruvian economy. It also allowed Fujimori to run for a second term, and in 1995, he was easily reelected with almost two-thirds of the vote.
Fujimorism has held power over much of Peruvian society through maintaining control of institutions and legislation created in the 1993 constitution. Due to the broadly interpreted impeachment wording in the 1993 Constitution, the Congress can impeach the President of Peru without cause, effectively making the legislature more powerful than the executive branch.
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The 1979 constitution became effective in 1980
Peru has had a long and complex constitutional history, with 12 documents called constitutions since 1823. The first of these constitutions was promulgated on November 12, 1823, by President José Bernardo de Tagle. However, it was almost entirely suspended to allow for the careful planning of Simón Bolívar's campaign.
The Constitution for the Republic of Peru, also known as the 1979 Constitution, was promulgated on July 12, 1979, by a Constituent Assembly. This constitution replaced the suspended 1933 Constitution, which had been in effect for over four decades. The 1979 Constitution aimed to strengthen the presidency and address the issues of constitutional instability that had plagued the country. It became effective in 1980, following the re-election of deposed President Fernando Belaúnde Terry.
The 1979 Constitution introduced several significant changes to the country's governance. It limited the president to a single five-year term, marking a shift from the previous constitutional frameworks. Additionally, it established a bicameral legislature consisting of a 60-member Senate (upper house) and a 180-member Chamber of Deputies (lower house). This change enhanced the legislative branch's power and provided a check on the executive branch.
The 1979 Constitution also set out the eligibility requirements for ministers and members of the national parliament. It stipulated that to be elected as a congressman, one must be Peruvian by birth, have attained the age of twenty-five years, and enjoy the right to vote. Similarly, eligibility criteria for ministers included being Peruvian by birth, exercising citizenship rights, and being at least twenty-five years old. These provisions ensured that those holding public office met specific criteria and had the necessary qualifications.
The 1979 Constitution of Peru underwent amendments and revisions over time. Notably, the constitution was amended after the ouster of President Alberto Fujimori to prevent the president from seeking immediate re-election. This amendment reflected the country's evolving political landscape and the desire to prevent the concentration of power. By 2024, the 1979 Constitution had been subject to 30 amendments since 1995, most of which were approved by Congress supermajority votes.
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The 1823 constitution was re-established in 1827 and abolished in 1828
Peru's first constitution was written by the Constituent Congress of Peru in 1822 and promulgated by President José Bernardo de Tagle on November 12, 1823. It was almost entirely suspended to allow for the careful planning of Simón Bolívar's campaign. Bolívar, who was the head of Gran Colombia, had offered military aid to Peru in its war against the Spanish. However, relations between the two countries soured, and the campaign ended in failure in January 1823.
The 1823 constitution was re-established on June 11, 1827, but it was abolished the following year. This constitution is known as the "Lifetime Constitution" (Spanish: "Constitución Vitalicia"). It was written by Simón Bolívar and promulgated by a government council led by Andrés de Santa Cruz. This constitution was similar to the Bolivian constitution, as Bolívar intended to establish a Federation in South America that included Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru.
The 1823 constitution's importance lies in its role as the foundational text for Peru's constitutional framework, serving as a model for subsequent constitutions. Despite its short duration, it established the country's initial constitutional foundations. The 1823 constitution was Peru's first attempt at a democratic framework, and it underwent several iterations before the country achieved a stable democratic constitutional regime.
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The 1933 constitution was amended in 2024
Peru's first constitution was written by the first Constituent Congress of Peru and promulgated by President José Bernardo de Tagle on November 12, 1823. However, it was suspended before it went into effect to allow Simón Bolívar's campaign to be planned carefully. The 1823 constitution was re-established in 1827 but was abolished the following year.
Peru has had twelve constitutions since 1823, four provisional statutes, and one confederate constitution. The 1933 constitution was the second most enduring, lasting through several turbulent periods in Peruvian history, including the assassination of President Luis M. Sánchez Cerro within weeks of its promulgation, the unconstitutional extension of President Oscar R. Benavides's term from 1936 to 1939, and three major periods of military rule.
The 1933 constitution was eventually suspended in 1968 after a successful coup d'état. This led to efforts to strengthen the presidency in the subsequent constitutions of 1979 and 1993. The 1979 constitution, promulgated on July 12, 1979, limited the president to a single five-year term and established a bicameral legislature. The 1993 constitution, enacted on December 31, 1993, further strengthened the presidency and gave greater power to the president.
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Frequently asked questions
Peru's first constitution was approved on November 12, 1823, and promulgated on March 18, 1828, by President José de la Mar.
The first constitution of Peru was suspended before it went into effect.
Since 1823, Peru has had 12 documents called constitutions.
The 1993 constitution of Peru, which has been amended several times, decrees a government headed by a president who is elected to a five-year term. The president can be re-elected but not consecutively. The constitution also allows regional and local governments to create, modify, and eliminate taxes and rates. It also includes eligibility requirements for ministers and congressmen.
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