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El Salvador: Government

Key Figures

Chief of State:
President Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez
Head of Government:
President Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez

Overview

Government Name:
Republic of El Salvador
Constitution:
Adopted: 1983; Outlines the fundamental rights and guarantees of the person; the state, its form of government, and political system; nationality; economic order; organs of the government, powers, and competences; administrative regimen; responsibility of public functionaries; and scope, application, reform, and repeal.
Government Type:
Republic
Republic of El Salvador Flag
Coat of Arms of Republic of El Salvador

Index of Economic Freedom

Grades each country on a scale of 0 to 100, based on ten freedoms, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention. Source: Heritage Foundation (2023)

Country Risk Rating

D
A high-risk political and economic situation and an often very difficult business environment can have a very significant impact on corporate payment behavior. Corporate default probability is very high. Source: Coface (2022)

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1
Executive

The president is the head of state and has executive power. The president observes and enforces the constitution, treaties, laws, and other legal dispositions; makes international treaties and conventions; directs foreign relations; and organizes, leads, and maintains the armed forces.

The president is elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system.

5 years
Judicial

The supreme court is the highest court for appeal.

Judges are elected by the legislative assembly on the recommendation of the national council of the judicature.

Judges: 9 year terms with renewal of one-third of judges every 3 years
Legislative

The legislative assembly is the legislative branch of the unicameral body, decrees law and taxes, ratifies treaties, and establishes and regulates the national monetary system.

The legislative assembly has 84 members elected through an open-list proportional representation system.

3 years

Regional Trade Blocs

No Regional Trade Blocs

International Organization Participation [2]

Environmental Agreements [3]

Tax Information [2]

Tax Authority:
Ministry of Treasury
Tax Name:
VAT

Sources:

  1. ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
  2. EY, http://www.ey.com
  3. CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
  4. U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/