Changes

{{Main article|Chilean Constitution of 1980}}

{{Main article|Chilean Constitution of 1980}}

[[File:Palacio de La Moneda.jpg|thumbnail|250px|[[La Moneda]] Palace, seat of Executive Branch.]]

[[File:Palacio de La Moneda.jpg|thumbnail|250px|[[La Moneda]] Palace, seat of Executive Branch.]]

[[Chilean Constitution of 1980|Chile's Constitution]] was approved in a September 1980 national plebiscite with 67% of the vote. It entered into force in March 1981. After Pinochet's defeat in the [[1988 Chilean national plebiscite|1988 plebiscite]], the Constitution was reformed and another referendum was held over the reforms in which more than 90% voted in favor. In 2005 President Lagos made several reforms to the Constitution, even changing the Pinochet sign with his.

[[Chilean Constitution of 1980|Chile's Constitution]] was approved in a September 1980 national plebiscite with 67% of the vote. It entered into force in March 1981. After Pinochet's defeat in the [[1988 Chilean national plebiscite|1988 plebiscite]], the Constitution was reformed and another referendum was held over the reforms in which 91% voted in favor. In 2005 President Lagos made several reforms to the Constitution, even changing the Pinochet sign with his.

The President term is 4-year long, however is constitutionally barred from serving consecutive terms. The political system of Chile is an exacerbated [[Presidential system|Presidential]] one.

The President term is 4-year long, however is constitutionally barred from serving consecutive terms. The political system of Chile is an exacerbated [[Presidential system|Presidential]] one.

Chile has a bicameral Congress, which meets in the port city of [[Valparaíso]], about 140 kilometers (84 mi.) west of the capital, Santiago. Deputies are elected every 4 years, and Senators serve 8-year terms.

Chile has a bicameral Congress, which meets in the port city of [[Valparaíso]], about 140 kilometers (84 mi.) west of the capital, Santiago (since 1990). Deputies are elected every 4 years, and Senators serve 8-year terms.

There are currently 43 Senators and 155 Deputies.

There are currently 43 Senators and 155 Deputies.

The Chilean elections are judged free and fair.

The Chilean elections are judged free and fair.

Chile's judiciary is independent and includes a court of appeal, a system of military courts, a constitutional tribunal, and the Supreme Court. In June 2005, Chile completed a nationwide overhaul of its criminal justice system. The reform has replaced inquisitorial proceedings with an adversarial system more similar to that of the United States.  

Chile's judiciary is independent and includes a court of appeal, a system of military courts, a constitutional tribunal, and the Supreme Court. In June 2005, Chile completed a nationwide overhaul of its criminal justice system. The reform replaced old proceedings with an adversarial system more similar to that of the United States.  

The Central Bank in Chile is autonomous since 1981.

The Central Bank in Chile is autonomous since 1981.