Uruguay

The Republic of Uruguay follows a Democratic-Republic system of government, not unlike that of the United States. Three branches of the government operate separately from each other and are based on principles established by the Magna Carta. The executive branch is comprised of the president and vice president (who are elected by electoral and popular votes every five years) and the ministers of the Cabinet. The legislative branch consists of the General Assembly, which includes two bodies, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, made up of five members, and by lower courts, which are called Tribunals and Courts of Law. There are 19 departmentos, or states, which maintain local, autonomous law enforcement. Voting is compulsory for all adult Uruguayans.

Several political parties exist in Uruguay, two of which are historically prominent: the Colorado Party and the Blanco (National) Party. Within each of these parties are groups characterized by special interests. Two other general parties, both of which tend to be more leftist in nature, have emerged since the 1967 constitution: the Frente Amplio ("Broad Front") and the Nuevo Espacio ("New Space") Party. All parties contain representation in the country's government.