The Executive
The powers of the executive are held by the President who performs the duties of the Head of State. He represents the higher interests of the country. The President conducts the government policies supported by a cabinet of 15 ministers. The cabinet consists of council of ministers, appointed by the President and headed by a Prime Minister. It is to be noted that the Prime Minister does not exercise any executive power which is solely the prerogative of the President.
The Legislative
The Legislative Branch comprises of the National Congress within one chamber comprising of 120 members. The National Congress represents the collective opinion of the nation. As the representative organ of the country, the main functions of the Congress are:
Representation of the people,
Making of the laws that rule the country
Oversight of the other branches of government
In charge of the final amendment of the Constitution
The Judiciary
The judiciary of Peru is headed by the Supreme Court of Justice which has jurisdiction over the entire nation. The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary. The second hierarchic level of the judiciary is the Superior Courts. The third court of Justice is the Courts of First Instance (trial court) and the fourth hierarchic level of the Peruvian Judicial Power, are the Courts of Peace.
Major Political Parties
The major political parties of Peru are:
Alliance For Progress
Peruvian Nationalist Party (PNP)
Union for Peru (UPP)
American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA)
Independent Moralizing Front (FIM)
Popular Christian Party (PPC)
Popular Action (AP)