Autonomous regions of Portugal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The two Autonomous Regions of Portugal (Portuguese: Regiões Autónomas de Portugal) are the Azores (Região Autónoma dos Açores) and Madeira (Região Autónoma da Madeira). Together with Continental Portugal (Portugal Continental), they form the whole of the Portuguese Republic.
As defined by the Constitution of Portugal and other laws, an Autonomous region possesses its own Political and Administrative Statute and has its own Government. The branches of Government are the Regional Executive (Governo Regional), and the Legislative Parliament (Assembleia Legislativa). The Parliament is elected by universal suffrage, using the Hondt method of proportional representation.
The sovereignty of the Portuguese Republic is represented in each Autonomous Region by the Minister of the Republic (Ministro da República), proposed by the Government of the Republic and appointed by the President of the Republic. As of 2006, the Minister of the Republic is to be replaced by a less-empowered Representative of the Republic (Representante da República), following the sixth amendment of the Constitution.
The President of the Regional Executive (Presidente do Governo Regional) is appointed by the Minister of the Republic according to the results of the parliament election.
Current Presidents of the Regional Executive:
- Azores - Carlos César (Socialist Party)
- Madeira - Alberto João Jardim (Social Democratic Party)
