Constitutional Court (Portugal)
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Constitutional Court | |
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Tribunal Constitucional | |
Portuguese Constitution | |
Appeals to | None |
Judge term length | 9 years, with no possible reelection |
Number of positions | 13 justices |
Website | www |
President of the Constitutional Court | |
Currently | José João Abrantes |
Since | 26 April 2023 |
Constitution |
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The Constitutional Court (
The Portuguese Constitution defines the Constitutional Court as a completely independent organ that operates independently from the other branches of government, such as the Executive or the Legislative. The Justices of the Constitutional Court are independent and cannot be impeached. The decisions of the court are above the decisions of any other authority.
The court convenes in Lisbon, in the Ratton Palace located in Bairro Alto.
Organization
The court is composed by thirteen Justices, ten of them are elected by the Assembly of the Republic, the main legislative branch of the country, and they must be elected by two thirds majority of the members of the Assembly. The remaining three are elected by the already elected Justices. Of the thirteen Justices, six must be chosen among the general court's judges, the remaining must have at least a degree in law. The Justices serve a nine-year mandate and cannot be re-elected.
The Constitutional Court elects its own president and vice-president and approves its own rules, schedule and budget.
The
Competences
The Constitutional Court has several competences, defined in the Constitution, such as:
- Assure that the Constitution and regional autonomies are respected;
- Review and assure the constitutionality of the laws;
- Declare the President's death or inability to carry out his tasks;
- Manage the electoral processes;
- Assure that political parties fulfil the legal requirements to exist;
- Prohibit and dissolve fascist parties and organizations;
- Assure the legality of the national and local referendums.
See also
- Judiciary of Portugal
- Portuguese Supreme Court of Justice
- Portuguese Court of Audits
- Portuguese Supreme Administrative Court
- Politics of Portugal
- Constitution of Portugal
References
- ^ "Declaração n.º 2-B/2023" (PDF). Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda, S.A. - Diário da República n.º 82/2023, Série I, 1.º Suplemento, de 27 de abril. Retrieved 16 September 2023.