Government, Legislature

The organization of the legislature of Argentina is similar to that of the United States. The National Congress consists of a lower chamber, the 257-member Chamber of Deputies, and an upper chamber, the 72-member Senate. Deputies are elected directly to four-year terms by a system of proportional representation. Each province elects three senators to six-year terms. Two of these senators are directly elected and the third represents the province’s largest minority party. Three senators represent the city of Buenos Aires. The 1994 constitution gave some formerly presidential powers to the legislature. An office similar to that of a prime minister and controlled by the legislature was created to exercise those powers. All citizens 18 years of age or older are entitled to vote.