Senate of Chile
This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (January 2023) |
The Senate of the Republic of Chile is the upper house of Chile's bicameral National Congress, as established in the current Constitution of Chile.
Senate of the Republic of Chile Senado de la República de Chile | |
|---|---|
| 56th National Congress | |
Seal | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | None |
| Leadership | |
Vice-President | |
General Secretary | Raúl Guzmán Uribe since 16 April 2021 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 50 |
Political groups | Government (19)
Opposition (27) Others (4)
|
Length of term | 8 years |
| Elections | |
| Open list Proportional representation | |
Last election | 21 November 2021 |
Next election | 2025 |
| Meeting place | |
| Senate Chamber, National Congress Building, Valparaíso, Chile | |
| Website | |
| http://www.senado.cl | |
Composition
According to the present Constitution of Chile, the Senate is composed of forty-three directly elected senators, chosen by universal popular suffrage vote in 16 senatorial circumscriptions. These serve eight-year terms, with half of them being replaced every fourth year. They must be eligible to vote, have completed secondary school, or its equivalent, and be at least 35 years old.
The Senate meets at the new National Congress building located in the port city of Valparaíso that replaced the old National Congress building located in downtown Santiago, the nation's capital.
Abolition of the unelected
Amendments to the Constitution, approved by a joint session of Congress on August 16, 2005, eliminated non-directly elected senators from March 11, 2006, the day 20 newly elected senators were sworn in, leaving the total number of senators at 38, all directly elected. Previously, according to the Constitution of 1980, "designated" or "institutional" senators were appointed to the chamber. Two former heads of state, Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle and Augusto Pinochet, were installed as senators for life. Pinochet later resigned from this position and Frei lost his seat in the 2005 reform. However, Frei remained in the Senate by winning an elective seat.
Historical evolution
The Senate of Chile was created in 1812 to support the formulations of policies of the Government Junta. Since then it has undergone several constitutional reorganizations that have altered the scope of its constitutional powers, its composition and the generation of its members.
First senate
Created by Article 7 of the Provisional Constitutional Manual of 1812. It was composed of seven titular members (one for each province) and three alternate members and was supposed to serve as a counterbalance to the executive power of the Government Junta. The senators were directly nominated by the provinces in agreement with the central government. It functioned from November, 1812 to January, 1814, when it was reorganized to better respond to the problems caused by the successive military defeats at the hands of the advancing Spanish Army.
Consultive senate
Created by Article 13 of the Provisional Government Manual of 1814. As its predecessor, it was composed of seven titular members (only) nominated by the provinces in lists of three from which they were selected by the Supreme Director. It functioned from March to July, 1814, when the Spanish Army captured Santiago, putting an end to the Patria Vieja government.
First conservative senate
Created by Title III of the Constitution of 1818. It was composed of five titular members and five alternate members selected directly by the Supreme Director. It was supposed to function only when the lower house was not in function or could not meet, and had the power to enact "provisory rules" that had the same effect as laws (hence the "conservative" moniker, because it "conserved" the power.) It functioned from October, 1818 to May, 1822.
Election cycles
Key to Senate classes by regions:
- Class 1 consists of:
-the 23 current senators whose terms expire in March 2026.
- Class 2 consists of:
-the 20 current senators whose terms expires March 2022. Plus 7 new senators, who were elected in the 2021 general elections.
| Class | Election | Expire | CP/DC | Chile Vamos | Other pacts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018 | 2026 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 23 |
| 2 | 2014 | 2022 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 20 |
| Total | 21 | 19 | 3 | 43 | ||
Current composition Senate of Chile
| Constituency | Region | Class | Senator | Name | Political Group | Party | Prior Public Office/Position | Education | Assumed Office | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arica and Parinacota | 1 | José Miguel Insulza | Constituent Unity | PS | Secretary General of the Organization of American States | University of Chile | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 1 | Arica and Parinacota | 1 | José Durana | Chile Vamos | UDI | Intendant of the Arica y Parinacota Region | University of Tarapacá | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 2 | Tarapacá | 1 | Jorge Soria | Constituent Unity | Independent | Mayor of Iquique | Iquique Men's High School, Iquique | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 2 | Tarapacá | 1 | Luz Ebensperger | Chile Vamos | UDI | Intendant of the Tarapacá Region | Pontifical Catholic University of Chile | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 3 | Antofagasta | 2 | Pedro Araya Guerrero | Constituent Unity | Independent | Deputy District 4° (Antofagasta, Mejillones, Sierra Gorda and Taltal) | University of Antofagasta | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 3 | Antofagasta | 2 | Alejandro Guillier | Constituent Unity | Independent | Journalist and television reporter | Catholic University of the North | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 4 | Atacama | 1 | Yasna Provoste | Constituent Unity | DC | Deputy District 6° (Alto del Carmen, Caldera, Freirina, Huasco, Tierra Amarilla and Vallenar) | University of Playa Ancha | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 4 | Atacama | 1 | Rafael Prohens | Chile Vamos | RN | Intendant of the Atacama Region | Excelsior College, Santiago | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 5 | Coquimbo | 2 | Adriana Muñoz | Constituent Unity | PPD | Deputy by District 9° (Combarbalá, Punitaqui, Monte Patria, Illapel, Salamanca, Los Vilos and Canela) | University of Chile University of Vienna | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 5 | Coquimbo | 2 | Jorge Pizarro | Constituent Unity | DC | Deputy by District 8° (Coquimbo, Ovalle and Rio Hurtado) | University of Chile | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 6 | Valparaíso | 1 | Francisco Chahuán | Chile Vamos | RN | Deputy District 14° (Viña del Mar and Concon) | University of Valparaíso | March 11, 2010 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 6 | Valparaíso | 1 | Kenneth Pugh Olavarría | Chile Vamos | RN | General Director of the Personnel of the Chilean Navy | Arturo Prat Naval School, Valparaíso | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 6 | Valparaíso | 1 | Ricardo Lagos Weber | Constituent Unity | PPD | General Secretariat of Government minister during the government of Michelle Bachelet | University of Chile University of Sussex | March 11, 2010 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 6 | Valparaíso | 1 | Isabel Allende | Constituent Unity | PS | Senator for Constituency 3 | University of Chile | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 6 | Valparaíso | 1 | Juan Ignacio Latorre | Broad Front | RD | No previous public office | Central University of Chile | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 7 | Santiago West | 2 | Guido Girardi | Constituent Unity | PPD | Deputy District 18° (Cerro Navia, Lo Prado and Quinta Normal) | University of Chile | March 11, 2006 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 7 | Santiago West | 2 | Marcela Sabat | Chile Vamos | RN | Deputy District 10° (Santiago, Providencia, Ñuñoa, Macul, La Granja and San Joaquín) | Universidad del Desarrollo Finis Terrae University | August 4, 2020 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 8 | Santiago East | 2 | Manuel José Ossandón | Chile Vamos | RN | Mayor of Puente Alto | Inacap | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 8 | Santiago East | 2 | Carlos Montes Cisternas | Constituent Unity | PS | Deputy District 26° (La Florida) | Pontifical Catholic University of Chile | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 9 | O'Higgins | 2 | Juan Pablo Letelier | Constituent Unity | PS | Deputy District 33° (Mostazal, Graneros, Codegua, Machalí, Requínoa, Rengo, Olivar, Doñihue, Coinco, Coltauco, Quinta de Tilcoco and Malloa) | Georgetown University | March 11, 2006 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 9 | O'Higgins | 2 | Alejandro García-Huidobro | Chile Vamos | UDI | Deputy District 32° (Rancagua) | University of Chile | August 2, 2011 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 10 | Maule | 1 | Juan Castro Prieto | Chile Vamos | Independent | Mayor of Talca | Industrial A-10 High School, Talca | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 10 | Maule | 1 | Rodrigo Galilea | Chile Vamos | RN | Intendant of the Maule Region | Pontifical Catholic University of Chile | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 10 | Maule | 1 | Juan Antonio Coloma Correa | Chile Vamos | UDI | Deputy District 31° (Talagante, Peñaflor, El Monte, Isla de Maipo, Melipilla, María Pinto, Curacaví, Alhué and San Pedro) | Pontifical Catholic University of Chile | March 11, 2002 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 10 | Maule | 1 | Ximena Rincón | Constituent Unity | DC | Labor Minister during the government of Michelle Bachelet | University of Chile | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 10 | Maule | 1 | Álvaro Elizalde | Constituent Unity | PS | General Secretariat of Government during the government of Michelle Bachelet | University of Chile | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 11 | Biobío | 2 | Alejandro Navarro | Constituent Unity | PRO | Deputy District 45° (Tomé, Penco, Florida, Hualqui, Coronel and Santa Juana) | University of Concepción | March 11, 2006 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 11 | Biobío | 2 | Jacqueline Van Rysselberghe | Chile Vamos | UDI | Intendant of the Bío Bío Region | University of Concepción | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 12 | Biobío Ñuble | 2 | Loreto Carvajal | Constituent Unity | PPD | Deputy District 19º (Bulnes, Cabrero, Cobquecura, Coelemu, Ñiquén, Portezuelo, Quillón, Quirihue, Ninhue, Ránquil, San Carlos, San Fabián, San Nicolás, Treguaco, Yumbel, Chillán, Chillán Viejo, Coihueco, El Carmen, Pemuco, Pinto, San Ignacio and Yungay). | Catholic University of the Most Holy Conception | March 3, 2021 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 12 | Biobío Ñuble | 2 | Claudio Alvarado | Chile Vamos | UDI | General Secretariat of Presidency during the government of Sebastián Piñera | Valparaiso Business School | August 4, 2020 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 13 | Araucanía | 1 | Felipe Kast | Chile Vamos | Evópoli | Deputy District 22° (Santiago) | Pontifical Catholic University of Chile Harvard University | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 13 | Araucanía | 1 | Carmen Gloria Aravena | Chile Vamos | Independent | Traiguén municipal administrator | University of La Frontera | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 13 | Araucanía | 1 | José García Ruminot | Chile Vamos | RN | Deputy District 50° (Temuco and Padre Las Casas) | Higher Institute of Trade | March 11, 2002 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 13 | Araucanía | 1 | Francisco Huenchumilla | Constituent Unity | DC | Intendant of the Araucanía Region | University of Chile | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 13 | Araucanía | 1 | Jaime Quintana | Constituent Unity | PPD | Deputy District 49° (Victoria, Curacautín, Lonquimay, Melipeuco, Vilcún, Lautaro, Perquenco and Galvarino) | Pontifical Catholic University of Chile University of La Frontera | March 11, 2010 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 14 | Los Ríos | 2 | Alfonso de Urresti | Constituent Unity | PS | Deputy District 53° (Corral, Lanco, Mafil, Mariquina and Valdivia) | University of Chile | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 14 | Los Ríos | 2 | Ena von Baer | Chile Vamos | UDI | Senator for Constituency 8 | Pontifical Catholic University of Chile RWTH Aachen University | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 15 | Los Lagos | 2 | Rabindranath Quinteros | Constituent Unity | PS | Mayor of Puerto Montt | University of Chile | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 15 | Los Lagos | 2 | Iván Moreira | Chile Vamos | UDI | Deputy District 27° (El Bosque, La Cisterna and San Ramon) | Luis Alberto Barrera High School, Punta Arenas | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 16 | Aysén | 1 | David Sandoval | Chile Vamos | UDI | Deputy District 59° (Coihaique, Lago Verde, Aisén, Cisnes, Guaitecas, Chile Chico, Río Ibáñez, Cochrane, O'Higgins and Tortel) | University of Chile | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2026 | |
| 16 | Aysén | 1 | Ximena Órdenes | Constituent Unity | Independent | Intendant of the Aysén Region | Andrés Bello National University | March 11, 2018 | March 11, 2016 | |
| 17 | Magallanes | 2 | Carlos Bianchi | Out of pact | Independent | Councillor of Punta Arenas | Luis Alberto Barrera High School, Punta Arenas | March 11, 2006 | March 11, 2022 | |
| 17 | Magallanes | 2 | Carolina Goic | Constituent Unity | DC | Deputy District 60° (Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine, Punta Arenas, Río Verde, Laguna Blanca, San Gregorio, Porvenir, Primavera, Timaukel, Cabo de Hornos and Antártica) | Pontifical Catholic University of Chile | March 11, 2014 | March 11, 2022 |
See also
Notes
- ^ "Juan Antonio Coloma Correa". www.bcn.cl. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
External links
- Senate of Chile Official web site
- Article from the Economist dealing with the Senate composition